Iraqi gem hunter Hashim Suaan - in pictures

  • Former Iraqi army officer Hashim Suaan displays gemstones collected near the Tigris River in Mosul, Iraq. All photos: Reuters
    Former Iraqi army officer Hashim Suaan displays gemstones collected near the Tigris River in Mosul, Iraq. All photos: Reuters
  • Mr Suaan displays a gemstone which he has mounted on a ring
    Mr Suaan displays a gemstone which he has mounted on a ring
  • Mr Suaan shows his gemstones to a potential buyer in Mosul
    Mr Suaan shows his gemstones to a potential buyer in Mosul
  • Mr Suaan, who retired from the Iraqi army in 2018 after helping to oust ISIS from Mosul, works on a stone
    Mr Suaan, who retired from the Iraqi army in 2018 after helping to oust ISIS from Mosul, works on a stone
  • The fondness for gemstones felt by Mr Suaan is deeply rooted in Iraqi tradition and Islamic cultures
    The fondness for gemstones felt by Mr Suaan is deeply rooted in Iraqi tradition and Islamic cultures
  • Mr Suaan says he initially 'learned most from Indonesians and Brazilians on how they cut and polish stones'
    Mr Suaan says he initially 'learned most from Indonesians and Brazilians on how they cut and polish stones'
  • The rings and jewellery Mr Suaan makes can fetch several hundred dollars per piece
    The rings and jewellery Mr Suaan makes can fetch several hundred dollars per piece
  • Mr Suaan searches for gemstones near the Tigris river, which bisects Mosul
    Mr Suaan searches for gemstones near the Tigris river, which bisects Mosul
  • Mr Suaan unearths and turns into jewellery treasures such as agate, jade, and topaz stones
    Mr Suaan unearths and turns into jewellery treasures such as agate, jade, and topaz stones
  • 'Looking at the stone with the eye penetrates into the soul, heart and mind, and you feel something unique,' Mr Suaan says
    'Looking at the stone with the eye penetrates into the soul, heart and mind, and you feel something unique,' Mr Suaan says