Stone Flower,LLC            


Mining of demantoids



I will not repeat again and again the history and properties of this gem...you can go to WikipediA , numerous ICA (Intl Colored Gemstone Association) reports, GIA "Gems & Gemology", Pala International is the world recognized leader, they have the best pages devoted to demantoid.... full range of information can be obtained there...The purpose of this site just to show you the actual battle fields where demantoid soldiers of fortune are digging their trenches and to present updated  information on the results.




Due to alluvial nature demantoids are mined (still in most cases secretively) not very deep, from 6 to 12ft,. because of high prices local miners compete with each other, covering their activity with all kind of stories...

I didn't see any nice looking specimens...most of them ugly and crystals don't stay on matrix long..


Some of them look pretty decent, such specimens are extremely rare (courtesy of Bill Larson, Pala Intl)




I took these pictures just after hundreds of kilos of gravel have been  sorted....though the gemmy pebles look rich not all of them can be cut, probably 10-15% are decent, very little material is good and only single crystals give birth to really gorgeous stuff...


  • My recent trip to one of the "secret" demantoid sites. August, 2008

    My recent trip to one of the "secret" demantoid sites...

  • ...where Europe meets Asia.
    ...where Europe meets Asia.


  • The area is swampy, practically there are no roads over there, some small creeks cross the forest.

     


  • "Road"... leading to nowhere


  • Due to alluvial nature of the soil demantoid rich gravel was left by flowing streams and can be recovered with a help of very "complex" tools like crow-bars, spades and hoes....





  • One of the enrichment spots.



  • The gravel is rich with demantoid crystals, if you are lucky with a little
    touch of heat this brownish bastard will turn into magnificent pearl of green beauty...