Gemstone Detective Blog

Of course there are far too many Native American myths, legends and beliefs about turquoise to list here. Nevertheless, I hope that after reading this blog post you’ll think of turquoise as much more than a mere fashion statement!

Good packing can make the whole experience more comfortable and productive, so don’t forget to make plenty of room in your suitcase for these Tucson essentials.

Are you a gemstone hobbyist or amateur looking for the travel experience of a lifetime? Then the Gemstone Detective tour to Mogok is for you! There aren’t many unspoilt travel destinations that offer a tourist both an authentic and exciting experience, but Mogok is certainly one of them. View across Mogok © Kim Rix Photography / Gemstone Detective Situated in the Mandalay region of Myanmar (Burma), the city of Mogok is nestled in a green and temperate valley, surrounded

This gem buying trip is for non-professionals i.e. gem collector hobbyists and jewellery connoisseurs. You will have the opportunity to access Mogok’s legendary ruby, sapphire and spinel mines. You will gain an invaluable insight into the region’s history, local culture and we will try to give you an experience of mining (washing and sifting the gem gravels).

I am so fortunate to have been able to visit Mogok. The last time I visited Myanmar in 2018, Mogok was closed so I could not complete my research. I was only able to visit Mandalay and Yangon.

I’ve often said that the gemstone trade is not just about the gems themselves, but about the people who mine, treat, facet, set and sell them.  I found this particularly striking on my travels through North East and North West America, while researching my book Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in the USA. 

Vendors tend to love talking about the gems they have for sale and are usually really keen to share their experience and knowledge with you.

If you would like to follow my movements whilst I’m away, why not connect with the Gemstone Detective on Instagram or Facebook? I’ll be talking about my experiences and posting photos as I go along.

For a relatively short book, it covers the basics of sourcing and buying gemstones and jewellery in Sri Lanka. The author describes the methods and basic etiquette involved to hopefully help the tourist buyer avoid the worst and most costly pitfalls.

Being at World Travel Market 2018, it also made sense to connect with other Tourism Boards and Airlines from countries to be included in the Gemstone Detective book series – Vietnam, South Africa, Tanzania and India to name a few.

I’d even like to hear from anyone who has bought a gemstone or piece of jewellery in India. What did you buy?  Where did you buy it?  How was your experience?  Would you recommend it to another fellow traveller?  I would really love to hear your story, so please get in touch.

This spectacular ancient rock fortress in Sri Lanka’s northern Matale District is one of the island’s six UNESCO world heritages sites.  If you’re up for the steep climb of 1200 steps, you’ll see 1600 year old bathing sites, wall paintings and carvings, including one of a lion near the top that gives Sigiriya its name. 

I was lucky enough to meet with Mr Richardson, the owner of some of those famous sapphires and other Australian Gemstones. He showed me his Pride of the Willows, followed by the TomaHawk sapphire found between Rubyvale and Clairmont. Then, out came the yellow 165 carat GlenElva. Next, the 145 carat Eiffle Tower followed by the second most famous sapphire, the Toma Hawk Tiger, found in 1978.