In search of rare sapphires from the closed Kanchanaburi mine in Thailand.

"In search of rare sapphires from the closed mines of Kanchanaburi, Thailand"

In the past, rubies and sapphires were mined in Thailand. One of these production sites was Kanchanaburi, a city rich in nature located in western Thailand.

During its peak, sapphire was the primary gemstone mined, but large-scale mining ceased between the 1990s and 2000s, and the mines have since closed.

The beautiful, dwindling supply of Kanchanaburi sapphires circulating locally captured our interest, so GTJ representative Ilumo and I, Ruru, a GTJ member, embarked on a sourcing trip to acquire these captivating gems.

"About Kanchanaburi Sapphires"

In Kanchanaburi, sapphires are primarily found in blue, as well as yellow, green, and purple.

Common inclusions include silk inclusions and film-like inclusions, and many of the gemstones have low transparency, appearing cloudy.

Because the crystals are often thin and small, it is rare to find gemstones or rough stones with beautiful proportions in any color.

Due to overly deep colors and inclusions, it is sometimes said that only a few percent of the gems are beautiful. However, these are unique and beautiful gems known only to a select few, possessing characteristics found only in this region.

"Guided by fate, I encountered the most gemstones ever."

With the mines already closed, finding beautiful crystals, which are few and far between, is an immense adventure, much like a treasure hunt.

Unsure where to find gemstones, we broadened our search from jewelry stores to souvenir shops, looking in every single establishment.

As a result, we encountered gemstones from unexpected places and met people by chance, including the representative's familiar shopkeepers and buyers.

Even our representative, who has visited the area many times, said he had never seen so many gemstones at once, allowing us to view a large quantity.

Sometimes we were treated to meals, and experiencing the warmth of the local people made us realize that gemstones connect people through their bonds.

"The rarity strongly felt only by being on site"

On this trip, I saw over several hundred gemstones, but most of them had many inclusions and cloudy colors, far from the quality that GemTreeJapan would introduce.

Many were thin and small, so finding one with few inclusions and a sparkle was astonishing in itself.

Even locally, it was difficult to find beautiful crystals, and those suitable for our works were even more limited. It was precisely because I saw such a large number at once that I strongly felt their rarity.

"The allure of Kanchanaburi-produced gemstones revealed through many encounters"

Having seen so many gemstones this time, I was able to feel the uniqueness and rarity of the origin even more strongly.

A delicate blend of elements such as the balance and depth of colors that merge with soft hues, and a sleepy, smooth texture, creates Sapphires with a wonderful Kanchanaburi-like atmosphere.

Although the range of colors is not very wide, many individual pieces have interesting inclusions, and I felt that their profound depth, which cannot be expressed in a single word, is a major charm.

"The deepened fascination with gemstones in Kanchanaburi"

During my previous visit to Chanthaburi, I reaffirmed the drama of encountering gemstones and their preciousness, but in Kanchanaburi, I felt the allure of the gemstones themselves even more strongly.

No two gemstones are alike; with a combination of various elements such as color, inclusions, proportion, brilliance, and cut, every gemstone is a unique and precious existence, one of a kind on Earth.

Even I, who loves gemstones and understood this, was surprised. Although they may seem similar at first glance, there are always differences, and having seen so many this time, I truly realized that no two are exactly alike.

And encountering gemstones is also about encountering people. I felt the heart and warmth residing in the gemstones through the connections woven by many people.

It was a journey where I experienced the unique charm of gemstones themselves and how they are connected in a relay of passion from the Earth to people, and from person to person. The more I learned, the more I felt the profound fascination of gemstones.

The gemstones from Kanchanaburi will not be newly produced in the future, and beautiful crystals with precise cuts are rare, with very little circulation in the market.

I hope to convey the preciousness and fascination of each unique gemstone through their subtly different hues, textures, and delicate expressions that change slightly with angle and light source.

I hope that this opportunity to introduce multiple works woven by fate will allow you to discover the charm of Kanchanaburi-produced gemstones, and that you will feel the fun of gemstones by appreciating the individuality and differences of their origins!

GemTreeJapan

Ruru