An update on Ruby and Sapphire mining
in South East Asia and East Africa.
Summer 2005

By Vincent Pardieu (AIGS gemological Laboratory, Bangkok )
and Jean Baptiste Senoble (A.G.)

Purposes and Objectives:

Communication from AIGS gemological laboratory, Bangkok Thailand:

The AIGS is known to have one of the best collections of colored gemstones both natural and synthetic available for both the gemological laboratory and the gemological school. In order to keep this collection up to date, we have decided to invest in a field trip program to collect first hand information and new gemological samples from the important gem mining and trading centers around Thailand . As AIGS gemological Laboratory Director, Vincent Pardieu has had long traveling experience and passion, he began prospecting in Thailand and its neighboring countries such as Myanmar ( Burma ), Laos, and Cambodia focusing on ruby and sapphire mining areas in 2001. When Jean Baptiste Senoble, a young French student also sharing the same passion, finished his gemological studies at AIGS, all the conditions for a more successful and important program were present. Thanks to the support of Jean Baptiste Senoble, Gubelin Gem Lab, and ICA members, ambassadors, and directors; AIGS was able to complete an ambitious four month field trip program to Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Kenya, and Tanzania .

Communication from Gubelin Gem Lab, Luzern , Switzerland:

The GGL is constantly investing in updating its database and reference collection of coloured stones from all relevant mines worldwide. The gemmologists of the GGL are regularly traveling to new mines to collect sample material, and are also using trusted sources: well-reputed, knowledgeable geologists, scientists, and gemmologists which can guarantee the authenticity of the collected samples, and ensuring that the collected material is from a specific mine. Our relationship with AIGS, and the professional experience and integrity of Vincent Pardieu convinced the GGL that we want to support this field trip. We therefore decided to provide financial support for this project, allowing us to get sample material for our reference collection from many different mines with a high level of authenticity and credibility.

Communication from the ICA (International Colored stone Association):

ICA mission statement calls for the awareness, understanding and promotion of gemstones. The association, through its more than 500 membership network of the most important miners, cutters, dealers and gemological labs in 42 countries, provides the gem industry with concrete and on-site information. One of the main tasks of ICA is to assist investigative laboratory missions by facilitating firsthand contacts and local knowledge of gemstones and mining locations. Vincent Pardieu has become a reputed laboratory and field gemologist and is also a member of the ICA Communications Committee. The AIGS, GGL and ICA collaboration has permitted the success of this exceptional endeavor which provides the gem and jewelry industry with a deep insight of the gem production side and contributes to the construction of an invaluable database and a high level and authentic source of information.

 

Part 0: Presentation about the AIGS, GGL, ICA fieldtrip reports.(The present page)

Part 1: Introduction: Fieldtrips to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma (visit here)

Part 2: Report about Vietnam (April - May 2005) (visit here)

Part 3: Report about Sri Lanka (May 2005)(visit here)

Part 4: Report about Madagascar (June- July 2005) (visit here)

Part 5: Report about Kenya (July 2005)(visit here)

Part 6: Report about Tanzania (August 2005)(visit here)

Visit also our 2006 fieldtrip reports

Introduction: Presentation of the AIGS, Gubelin Gem Lab, ICA 2006 fieldtrip to central Asia: (visit here)

Part 1: Pakistan: The Central Asian capital of the gemstone trade. (visit here)

Part 2: Afghanistan: Land of beautiful gems and unique people. (visit here)

Part 3: Tajikistan: Gems from the Pamirs. (visit here)

Part 4: China (Xin Jiang): Emeralds from the silk road. (visit here)

 

Note: For more information and photos about all these different areas, please visit our photo galleries available from our home page.

To translate this page into your language: click on your language flag on the Babel fish icon
Nevertheless please understand that the translation might be incorrect as this translation tool is far to be perfect:

 


 
Important Note: Vincent Pardieu is an employee of Gübelin Gem Lab Ltd (Gübelin), a gemmological laboratory based in Lucerne, Switzerland. Any views expressed on this website - and in particular any views expressed by Vincent Pardieu - are the authors' opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Gübelin. Gübelin takes no responsibility and assumes no liability for any content on this website nor is Gübelin liable for any mistakes or omissions you may encounter. Gübelin is in particular not screening, editing or monitoring the content on this website and has no possibility to remove, screen or edit any content.