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Bo Rai, Bo Phloi, and Bangkaja are not only beautiful exotic locations but have produced some of the finest gemstones in the world.  I just returned from an incredible trip spending time in all three locations-all gemstone mines located in some of the most remote areas of Thailand.

Please join me on midnight on August 2 during Destination Gemstones on a gemstone journey from the mines in remote Thailand to the trading and cutting center of Chantaburi.  I hope to not only share with you photos of these incredible places but show you how these treasures come out of the ground as a rock and are transformed into magnificent gemstones. 

Our journey started with a seven hour drive (this doesn’t include the 28 hour flight time) to the town of Bo Rai, near the Cambodia border, where one of the richest historical gemstone mines is located.   The mine was depleted almost 20 years ago.  Rich rubies, garnets, and zircons were once mined here and are now only available from gem collectors.  We were able to find a very limited amount of the gorgeous rare rose zircon mined from the Bo Rai mine which is set in a beautiful 14k gold ring in item J271215.  I brought samples of the rough material from Bo Rai and will show you the difference in the Tanzanian stones that are being mined today which are much browner in tone and don’t have the beautiful lost rose color of the Thai stones.

Chantaburi is known throughout the gemstone world as the major cutting and trading center.  Every Friday and Saturday, this small town fills with miners, traders, gem dealers, and tourists looking for those special gemstones. 

There are no large cutting facilities here, but many small cutting shops. A gem dealer sits in one of the many small markets and a constant flow of cutters/dealers stops by to show their parcel of stones.  We found the beautiful colors of tourmaline and a rainbow of gemstones that were used in our multi gemstone bracelet in item J271225 so look out for this. 

Bangkaja is located quite near to Chantaburi and produces fine blue sapphires, as well as yellow, black, and green sapphires.  Just next to the mines there is a mountain where the locals have built a temple in thanks for their abundance.  We were able to drive part way up and had been told of the glorious view from the top of the rich gemstone valley below.  The steps up looked daunting but a must.  400 steps later, I thought I had finally reached the top only to find another 245 steps.  But it was well worth the trip.  The vista of gemstone mines, rice paddies, and the mountains of Cambodia in the background was truly awesome.

Kanchanaburi is quite close to the Burmese border and home to the famous sapphire mines of Bo Phloi.  It is truly a diverse area containing, rainforest, jungle, spectacular lakes and the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai.  The mines have seen very limited mining since 2009 and these deep blue sapphires are considered true collector gemstones.  The owner of the mine showed me a parcel of rough stones that had taken him more than two years to collect.  He said that every day they mine but only come up with a handful of sapphires.   Out of this only 1-2% are considered gem quality.  It is inspiring to see how he is reclaiming the land.  

The former mines have been turned into lakes and a golf course.  He is now mining in a path that will create a river through the landscape. 

Our very special offer on August 2nd contains 2 carats of these beautiful Kanchanaburi sapphires accented with full cut diamonds so don't forget to tune in at midnight and let me know what you think!

Take care, Peyton