SaharaGems Journals
Stories, Guides & Discoveries from Earth and Space
Categories
Sand from Around the World
A Collector’s Guide to Earth’s Most Extraordinary Sands Sand may seem ordinary underfoot, but in reality, no two sands on Earth are ever the same. Each grain carries the geological memory of its origin. Shaped by time, climate, volcanic forces, oceans, and ancient mountains. At SaharaGems, sand is not just material. It is a natural archive of Earth’s history, collected grain by grain from some of the planet’s most remarkable locations. Why Sand Is Never “Just Sand” Sand forms through
How to Identify Authentic Space Rocks (Meteorites)
Meteorites are often called “space rocks,” but that phrase hardly captures what they truly are. Each authentic meteorite is a fragment of deep time formed long before Earth itself, shaped by violence in space, and altered forever by its passage through our atmosphere. Over the years, I’ve handled meteorites from deserts, old collections, and private finds. Some were unmistakably real the moment they touched my hand. Others, despite convincing appearances, revealed themselves as something far more ordinary. ✓ Collector-grade specimens
The Alien H.R. Giger Museum in Gruyères Switzerland
Visiting the H.R. Giger Museum in Gruyères, Switzerland is an unforgettable experience—one that blends surreal art, science-fiction atmosphere, and a deep dive into the visionary world of the legendary Swiss artist H.R. Giger. So far I’ve visited this museum three times: once many years ago in 2011 when my children were still small (they were only allowed outside and in the museum shop), and again in 2021 and 2022. All visits left me inspired in completely different ways, proving that Giger’s universe reveals
Into the Heart of the Mountain Trepča Mine Kosovo
Between 2011 and 2014, I had the privilege of living and working in Pristina, Kosovo, a time that opened many doors to explore the fascinating world of Balkan minerals. One of the most unforgettable chapters of that journey was my repeated visits to the Trepča Mine — a legendary site in Mitrovica, North Kosovo, and one of Europe’s most historically important mining complexes. A Mine with a Century of History The Trepča mining complex has been known for centuries. Traces
Gilf Kebir Expedition 2002 – Great Adventure of the Sahara
Back in 2002, during my years living in Cairo, I fulfilled one of my greatest dreams — a journey deep into the Western Desert of Egypt, to the legendary Gilf Kebir Plateau. Even today, Gilf Kebir remains a symbol of the last true adventures in the Sahara Desert. Although around ten to fifteen expeditions head there each year — some even continuing further south to Gebel Uweinat — this region is still among the most remote, arid, and untouched landscapes on Earth. Today desert trips into this deserted area are completely
Himalayan Salt – Nature’s Ancient Treasure
At Sahara Gems, we proudly offer authentic Himalayan Salt — one of the world’s most fascinating and beneficial natural minerals. Despite its name, Himalayan salt does not come directly from the Himalayas, but from the legendary Khewra Salt Mine in Punjab, Pakistan, about a three-hour drive from Islamabad. We had the privilege to visit the mine in 2023, and witnessing the glowing pink salt walls deep underground was a truly unforgettable experience. A Discovery Linked to Alexander the Great The story of Himalayan salt dates back over 2,000 years