Colored Gemstones | Gems of Chanthaburi | Thailand
4 C’S OF COLORED GEMSTONES | GEMS OF CHANTHABURI, THAILAND
A Chanthaburi experience will not be complete without purchasing a gem. Aside from the fact that they are wonderful and are sold at the best price, they are also readily available in different markets and malls. I have been to Chanthaburi, Thailand recently as part of my prize for winning in the 2018 TAT Media and Blogger Relations Campaign, and I was able to purchase a gemstone which I gave as a surprise gift for my niece and another for me as a souvenir.
As I was sharing my business experience with our guide in designing and creating fashion pieces of jewelry years back, he mentioned that if I would like to buy more precious yet cheaper gems, then Chanthaburi is a place that I should visit. The site is 250-kilometer going to the South-East part of Bangkok.
The journey is long and tiresome, but I promise, your trip will be worth it once you’ve got to see the home of gems, the Chanthaburi.
Colored Gemstones | Gems of Chanthaburi | Thailand
The Gems Market in Chanthaburi | Thailand
Chanthaburi, Thailand regarded as major processing and trading top quality colored gemstones in Southeast Asia.
It is said that gem factories in this place had developed techniques for improving the quality clarity and color of gemstones by heating.
Processing of gemstones in Chanthaburi is by and large cottage industry. Most of the processing is done by family-owned businesses. These families who are engaged in this business have long experience in cutting, grading and polishing gemstones. I even experienced myself a portion of polishing a stone during our trip.
Colored Gemstones | Gems of Chanthaburi | Thailand
The gems market is located at the intersection of Si Chan and Thetsaban Road in Chanthaburi.
The mode of selling and buying gemstones is quite interesting. In a store, buyers will rent a table in a store and they would post a list of what they wanted to buy and would wait for dealers to come. I saw many sellers in actions offering ruby sapphires in various colors, garnet, amethyst, tourmaline, citrine, quartz and much more.
Amazingly, if you are a buyer, you wouldn’t know where to begin especially if you visit the market for the first time.
Colored Gemstones | Gems of Chanthaburi | Thailand
In this article, I will be sharing with you four tips that you may also use in purchasing your colored gemstones.
The 4 C’s of Colored Gemstones ( Gems of Chanthaburi | Thailand )
Color
Remember that in choosing the gem that you would like to buy, you should always be keen on the specific color that you want. This will make your journey much faster and organized. Once you’re already in the actual shops, try to choose the best gem considering your desired color. Look for the hue (position of the color in the color wheel), saturation (chrome or intensity), and tone (value and lightness) of the gems. If these characteristic passes your standard, then you’re good to proceed to the next qualification.
Colored Gemstones | Gems of Chanthaburi | Thailand
Cut
Try to figure out if the gem that you like is cut with facets (with edges and angles) or non-faceted (smooth surface). Though most buyers prefer to cut with facets because it provides a more complex design to the gem. Consideration in this aspect includes looking for the proper angle, the number of sides, and the position or placement of facets. By making sure that these considerations are achieved, expect that the gem will be more brilliant and colorful because it reflects light better. You may choose your type of gem cut based on four categories: brilliant cut or also known as diamond cut; mixed cuts; plain cuts; and step cuts.
Clarity
This entails looking for other possible inclusions of the gem. For example, if the gem has a large crack in a noticeable area, then expect that it is not very durable and it will not be as brilliant as the others since the light reflection and projection is affected by the crack. Thus, expect that the price will be lower as well. If in case that the gem has a small crack and is located in a hidden part of the gem, then the price will still be its regular price and expect that it is going to be durable and brilliant. In short, always look for the possible inclusions of the gem such as gas, liquid, solid; optical; internal; and external so that you can be assured that you are buying a gem of right quality and price.
Colored Gemstones | Gems of Chanthaburi | Thailand
Carat Weight
This is going to be the last qualification that you are going to look at. Just remember that the higher the carat weight, the more expensive it will be since the value of the gem also increases. So be sure that in buying a gem, you decide beforehand the weight of carat that you would like to purchase.
Colored Gemstones | Gems of Chanthaburi | Thailand
Where to Stay in Chanthaburi, Thailand
Click our link to various hotels to stay when in Chanthaburi, Thailand. Take advantage of the discounts that these hotels offer:
COMPARE PRICES AND BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM IN CHANTHABURI, THAILAND
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