Prospecting for fire opal in Queretaro, Mexico
Two gemologists, Carlos Torres and Laurent Massi, have created “The Gem Odyssey,” a company that provides private excurions to artisan gem mines in remote locations. Currently their tours go to Mexico, South America and Southeast Asia but they have plans to expand to other locations around the world.
The idea, they say, is to provide rare, first-hand access to gem mines and share the experiences of the miners who unearth these gems and minerals that are used in jewels. These expeditions are open for those in the industry and the general public who are fascinated by the origins of precious gems and minerals and the people who unearth these materials. They will meet miners and others in the gem trade who work at the source of production.
The founders of The Gem Odyssey, Carlos Torres and Laurent Massi, inspecting an emerald sample in … [+]
The expeditions are designed to be both educational and fun, says Massi, a French native who is an accomplished gemologist, educator and author. He is the former director of the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences Gem Laboratory and the Thailand Campus of the Gemological Institute of America, both based in Bangkok.
“If you’ve never been to a mine, it’s fascinating. You learn how difficult it is to retrieve the material and why many gemstones of top quality are so expensive and extremely rare,” says Massi, who also has a doctorate in physics degree. “It’s a long and complicated chain to turn a piece of rough material into a jewel. Most people only see the finished product at the end of the chain. We will show you how this chain begins.”
Emerald miners preparing to begin work
Torres, a gemologist with extensive experience in gemstone procurement, mine-to-market strategies and project management, has spent many years in the mines in Mexico and South America, procuring gems for himself, jewelry designers and others in the jewelry and gem industries. He says the remote locations of these mines makes them extremely difficult to access for anyone with little experience and contacts with the miners. Without guidance it is difficult if not impossible to visit these mines, which in some cases are in dangerous locations. The Gem Odyssey, they say, is able to manage the logistics with an emphasis on security.
“We are welcomed with open arms by the artisan miners,” Torres says. “We have the contacts and the ways to get to these remote locations. It’s an unparalleled exclusive experience, to see and do things they would never be able to do by themselves.”
Rough Paraiba gemstones unearthed at a mine in Rio Grande Do Norte, Brazil
Each expedition is designed to take up to 10 persons. They can be jewelry industry professionals, gem enthusiasts or anyone up for a new adventure.
One person who has been on the expeditions is French jewelry artist, Emmanuel Tarpin. He has visited fire opal mines and in Mexico and emerald mines in Colombia. He was a full participant working in the mines, cutting through rock and carting the materials away. Tarpin often uses nature as his inspiration for his one-of-a-kind creations and he is a staunch environmentalist. Going the extra mile of visiting locations where gems are unearthed and participating in the process is a natural progression for him. Being involved in the process to such a degree allows him to appreciate the effort it takes to source the material and then relay this journey to his private clients.
High jewelry artist, Emmanuel Tarpin (center), with the founders of The Gem Odyssey at a Colombian … [+]
“I often say it’s essential to know the stages of how jewelry is created. To see the human condition and go deeper into the subjects by talking to the miners and sharing their journey. I want to understand the entire mine to market process.”
He continues, “To be there with them is a different process. My passion is a need to be connected to their lives. They are kind enough to explain the different stages of retrieving gems. Not the engineers but the miners themselves. Emeralds are very rare. You learn how much patience you need to find beautiful stones used for high jewelry. I know so much more about emeralds now and I find it amazing and very inspiring. Someone might pay $2 million for a piece of jewelry but they don’t always understand the value. That’s why it’s important for me to bring the piece to my clients and tell the story of the piece from the beginning.”
A miner returning the debris cart to the mine
In Colombia, The Gem Odyssey tours will include trips to emerald mines in Bogotá, Muzo and Chivorwill. Colombian emeralds are considered by the many in the profession to be the best in the world.
In Brazil, the company offers trips to mines in the state of Paraíba and Rio Grande Do Norte, the original locations of Paraíba tourmalines. Gems from these mines are among the rarest and most valuable in the world.
In Mexico, Participants will visit opal mines opal mines Magdalena, Jalisco.
View of a sapphire mine near Chanthaburi city, Thailand
Thailand is considered the center of the world gemstone trade where much of the cutting, polishing and dealing in colored gems are located. It is particularly rich in rubies and sapphires. A typical trip to the country will include a visit to Bangkok to the Jewelry Trade Center and the Gems Tower. Then, the expedition will continue to gem trade areas in Chanthaburi city, which will include visits to the surrounding corundum mines.
The Gem Odyssey website has more information.