today we took a 30 minute drive out to the local Peridot mines. Two co operatives were digging, one starting a new mine and one digging out the overnight cave in!
We managed to purchase some small rough and one nice sized flat Zircon, direct from the miners.
We also visited a few dealers but they didn’t have much as they haven’t been digging much, due to the monsoon.
We also visited a cutter and two 4ct plus stones were purchased.
I managed to bag a particularly well cut 16.3ct oval Peridot!
Lunch at the Caldera!
The monsoon has been relentless!
Pleiku Peridot
Peridot Mining Trip: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the current activity at the Peridot mines during the visit? The mines were active with two cooperatives at work. One team was focused on breaking ground for a brand-new mine, while the other was clearing out a cave-in that had occurred overnight.
2. Why was there a limited supply of gemstones available from local dealers? Inventory was low among dealers because mining operations have been significantly slowed down by a relentless monsoon season. Since they haven’t been able to dig consistently, their available stock was diminished.
3. What types of rough stones were acquired directly from the miners? The trip yielded several pieces of small rough Peridot and one notable “flat” Zircon of a good size, all purchased directly from the workers at the site.
4. Were any high-quality finished stones found during the trip? Yes. A visit to a local cutter resulted in the purchase of two stones weighing over 4cts each. Additionally, the highlight of the day was securing a “masterfully cut” 16.3ct oval Peridot.
5. How did the weather impact the overall experience? While the monsoon has been relentless and has limited the digging for many, it didn’t stop the trip. The day concluded with a scenic lunch at the Caldera to take a break from the rain.