Ruby: Precious gem of Baringo, Taita Taveta

Three of the four priciest gems in the world have been found in Kenya. In a prospect that places mining sector ahead of tourism, tea and coffee combined, mineral dealers say Kenya has emeralds, sapphire and ruby.

Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu admires one of the precious stones when he visited Gemstone dealers in Nairobi last week. [PHOTO: PIUS CHERUIYOT/STANDARD]

They say the most expensive of the precious stones are readily traded in a largely informal market. There are however no known deposits of diamonds.