Gemstone Tour
Sri Lanka
TBA: 2022
This Sri Lanka gemstone tour is for novices and enthusiasts, who want to learn more about the gem trade in Sri Lanka. Whether you are new to the trade, or just someone who loves collecting gemstones, this trip is for you. On this exciting tour, you will visit many of the historical, religious and commercial sights. You will also get the opportunity to learn from gemmologist Kim Rix.
Sri Lanka is home to some of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world. Blue Sapphire is the National Gemstone of Sri Lanka. The gem industry on this lovely island has been in existence for over 2500 years, making it a part of the countries history.
Our gemstone tour will include visits to the gem markets, gem museum, 3 or 4 gem mining visits, witnessing cutting & polishing, a gem showroom and much more. You are promised a gemmological extravaganza!
Gemstone Detective has partnered with a reputable travel agent in Colombo. Together we have come up with this once in a lifetime Sri Lanka gemstone tour. Visit our photo gallery to find out what to expect.
The price of this tour includes: ground transportation by minibus, services of an English speaking guide and the opportunity to travel with Kim Rix, the Gemstone Detective.
Please note:
Not included are flights, visa, expenses of a personal nature, meals not mentioned in the itinerary, beverages, entrance fees for the sites mentioned in the itinerary, tips and portage.
Register for our Gemstone Tour via the registration button below. You will hear from us within 48 hours to arrange a friendly video chat by WhatsApp. If we both agree, we will ask you to pay £250 non-refundable deposit. The balance will be payable six weeks before departure.
Seats are limited and bookings will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. Terms & conditions apply.
Gemstone Tour
Mogok
Postponed
This gemstone tour is for hobbyists. You will have the opportunity to access Mogok’s legendary ruby, sapphire and spinel mines. You will be able to immerse yourself in the region’s history and local culture.
Situated in the beautiful Mandalay region of Myanmar also known as Burma. The slow pace city of Mogok is huddled in a green and temperate valley, surrounded by breathtaking mountains. Although well known for its abundance of gemstone mines, Mogok has been closed off to the public for centuries. you have the opportunity to be among the first to experience the treasures of this formerly secretive place!
The most celebrated rubies in the world are mined here, giving rise to Mogok’s nickname ‘The Valley of the Rubies’. Also found in the city is the rare and beautiful, ‘pigeon blood’ rubies. These stunning rubies were named because of their red /purplish colour resembling the blood of a freshly killed pigeon.
We guarantee that this five nights adventure will be an experience of a lifetime! You will even have the opportunity to try mining (washing and sifting the gem gravels). Visit our introduction page and gallery about Gemstones in Mogok to get a feel for what you can expect from this unique trip.
The price of this tour also includes the administration of permission papers to enter Mogok. Cost includes all of the touring in an air-conditioned minibus with a local driver, a separate vehicle for luggage, a native English speaking guide and the opportunity to travel with highly experienced gemmologist Kim Rix. Hotels will be pre-booked on your behalf (to be settled by yourself on arrival). Fresh and locally cooked lunches and dinners are included.
Register for our Gemstone Tour via the registration button below. You will hear from us within 48 hours to arrange a friendly video chat by WhatsApp. If we both agree, we will ask you to pay £250 non-refundable deposit. The balance will be payable six weeks before departure.
Seats are limited and bookings will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. Terms & conditions apply.
Gemstone Tour
Vietnam
16-23 April, 2022
10-17 September, 2022
This exciting Vietnam gemstone tour is for the individual hobbyist and adventurous traveller. This once in a lifetime tour takes us to the nation’s historical capital Hanoi and the beautiful and tranquil Luc Yen in Northern Vietnam.
Vietnam has many gem deposits, including ruby, sapphire, spinel, tourmaline, peridot, aquamarine, topaz, garnet and quartz. Also found in this tropical and enchanting country are various types of cultured pearls and even the rare melo pearls. With Vietnam being so rich in natural beauty and culture, you will experience more than the vast and bustling gem trade.
On our Vietnam gemstone tour, we go in search of beautiful rubies, blue sapphires and the very rare cobalt blue spinel. Our gemstone tour will include visits to the gem markets, gem museum, mines and much more. You are promised a gemmological extravaganza!
Visit our introduction page and gallery about Gemstones in Vietnam to get a feel for what you can expect from this unique trip.
We will also offer you optional activities, including hiking to the difficult to reach gem deposits, gem-carving and make your own gem-painting.
The price of this gemstone tour includes:
All of the touring in an air-conditioned minibus with a local driver, a native English speaking guide and the opportunity to travel with highly experienced gemmologist Kim Rix. All hotels will be pre-booked on your behalf. Fresh and locally cooked lunches and dinners are included.
Register for our Gemstone Tour via the registration button below. You will hear from us within 48 hours to arrange a friendly video chat by WhatsApp. If we both agree, we will invite you to pay £250 non-refundable deposit. The balance will be payable eight weeks before departure.
Seats are limited and bookings will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. Terms & conditions apply.
Gemstone Tour
Australia
TBA: 2022
Join our Australia gemstone tour and discover the Lightning Ridge Opal Festival.
The Lightning Ridge Opal Festival founded back in 1971 and was designed to celebrate the culture and character of opal mining. The festival now attracts over 4,000 people from all around the world and is the largest opal event in Australia.
Our Australia gemstone tour has been organised for those who would like to learn more about gemstones in Australia and who would like to experience mining firsthand.
Planned over 5 days, you will be travelling in a small group of like-minded people and in the safe hands of an experienced tour guide.
Australia’s Lightning Ridge Opal Festival offers a fantastic experience for gemstone lovers and you will get to enjoy everything this great town has to offer plus some hidden gems.
The Australia gemstone tour will include all activities organised by Outback Opal Tours in Lightning Ridge. Our group will first meet together in Lightning Ridge and over the 5 days, we will cover the following although a full Gem Tour itinerary will be available nearer the time.
What you can expect on our gemstone tour:
• One-day at the opal festival with a guide
• Full day tour of Lightning Ridge
• Visit an opal mine
• Town tour including a visit to the Chambers of the Black Hand and the John Murray Art Gallery
• Hidden Gem Evening Tour ……and many more activities.
This will truly be a trip of a lifetime, offering adventure and experiences that you’ll never forget.
Visit our introduction page and gallery about Gemstones in Australia to get a feel for what you can expect from this unique trip.
Register for our Gemstone Tour via the registration button below. You will hear from us within 48 hours to arrange a friendly video chat by WhatsApp. If we both agree, we will ask you to pay £250 non-refundable deposit. The balance will be payable six weeks before departure.
Seats are limited and bookings will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. Terms & conditions apply.
Gemstone Tour
Central Mexico
October 2022
This exciting Mexico gemstone tour is especially for the opal and jewellery lover. This tour takes us to Central Mexico where we will discover why Mexican fire opals are so sought-after as well as visit the jewellery districts.
For starters, our gemstone tour will include:
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A visit to Teotihuacan pre-hispanic site and watch obsidian artisans at work
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Visit Cacahuamilpa caves and the city of Taxco, the silversmithing heart of the country
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Prospect for opals in Queretaro
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Visit the historic Mines in Guanajuato
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Explore Guadalajara's Jewellery District, the jewellery capital of Mexico City
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Optional visit to Magdalena Opal mines
The price of this gemstone tour includes: all ground transportation in Central Mexico, our English speaking Mexican tour guide and, the opportunity to travel with the Gemstone Detective.
Register for our Gemstone Tour via the registration button below. You will hear from us within 48 hours to arrange a friendly video chat by WhatsApp. If we both agree this tour is a good fit for you, we will invite you to pay £250 non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The balance will be payable eight weeks before departure.
Seats on our minibus are limited and bookings will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. Terms & conditions apply.
Gemstone Tour
Tanzania
4-11 June 2022
12-19 June 2022
Created for those who are in love with Tanzanian gemstones - this exciting mining safari takes us to the heart of the gem trade in Tanzania. We promise you a fantastic and unique learning experience.
Our gemstone tour will include:
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Visit the MOYO gems mining area in Tanga and meet the female artisanal miners
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An 8 hour drive from Tanga to Arusha, with the opportunity to view Kilimanjaro.
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Drive from Arusha to Merelani to visit the Tanzanite mine
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Visit the tanzanite market in Merelani, at the foot of Kilimanjaro
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Explore the Maasai market with the opportunity to buy a souvenir gemstone
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Optional one-day safari on day 8 ($60 entrance fee to Arusha National Park is extra)
The cost of this gemstone tour includes:
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Seven nights’ accommodation at Tanga Beach Resort and Arusha Palace Hotel ( Bed & Breakfast basis)
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4X4 jeep tour with professional English speaking driver/guide.
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1.5 litres or more of drinking water while on tour.
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Full time WIFI in jeep while on tour.
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Tanzanite mining area entrance fees.
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All transfers to and from airports.
NOTE: there is an obligatory charitable donation of $850 per person payable at the time of booking. This donation is to support the Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAWOMA).
Register for our Gemstone Tour via the registration button below. You will hear from us within 48 hours to arrange a friendly video chat by WhatsApp. If we both agree this tour is a good fit for you, we will invite you to pay £250 non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The balance will be payable eight weeks before departure.
Seats in our jeep are limited and bookings will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. Terms & conditions apply.
"To travel is to live”
– Hans Christian Anderson