Gem Trade

Chantaburi on the south eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand is the Gem Town of Thailand.

and not only from Thailand. Having a look around the street's of down town Chantaburi any day, people from all over Asia including Indian and Pakistani people are bargaining in small rooms behind windows, checking Chantaburi precious and semi precious stones.

All variants of precious and semi precious stones are on display. Beautiful "pigeons blood" colored rubies from Myanmar, pretty dark blue polished Sapphire, probably also from Myanmar or maybe Madagascar and plenty of other precious and semi precious stones.

People of Indian origin negotiate with Chinese trader's, Thai with Japanese, some European gem trader want to make a deal but always shake their head.
Chantaburi precious and semi precious stones come from many directions, like Myanmar or Burma, Cambodia and as far as Madagascar, one of the new player in the gem market. Thai gem trader have invested quite some capital in gem mining in Madagascar.

Jade from Myanmar is a very precious material for Chinese, a jade bangle costs from US$ 10,- up to $3000,- depending on the color and the translucent of the jade stone.

But if one is not a specialist, don't buy anything, you will be cheated almost for sure. Its better to take a expert with you, expert can be hired at the gem street.
All kind of semi-precious stones mainly used in jewelry production are traded in
Chantaburi like amethyst, lapis-lazuli, turquoise, aquamarine, topaz, moonstone, peridot, opal, tourmaline, zircon, chrysoberyl, alexandrite, chrysoprase, jade, garnet, agate, azurite, malachite, bloodstone, coral, carnelian and plenty of others.

They are finally set into attractive pieces of jewelry with vibrant color combinations and great designs. there is not so many jewelry on display in Chantaburi, the focus is gem, precious and semi precious stones.

One of the most common and more valuable gemstones in Chantaburi are Sapphire, its almost a Chantaburi Sapphire Market just opposite the hotel and the also have semi precious color stone.

Some trade is also on in Chantaburi with ruby sales. Rubies usually come from Myanmar or Burma. Either imported legally or smuggled into Thailand. In Chantaburi are even some open air gem shop along the first road crossing behind the bridge.
 

In Chantaburi you also buy amethyst stone and plenty of other gems. Beautiful stones, rare and colorful. Simple rocks (minerals) dig out from the earth. After cutting and polishing we call them gems and many of them are traded in Chantaburi Thailand.

Chantaburi River and Chantaburi river side are very relaxing places with a beautiful scenery.