Newsletter March 2021

Some good news

Despite the strict travel conditions that have been impeding worldwide supplies of cut gemstones we have just managed to take delivery of a splendid collection of new stock. We are going through the process of photographing and cataloging them as I write but please take a look at the 100s of new arrivals online now.

The untreated amethyst and citrine from Brazil and the purple spinels from Tanzania are especially worth a look.

A Lucky Find – or not!

A discovery of a rare gemstone in Thailand made worldwide news recently.

The story begins with a dream. 37-year-old fisherman, Hatchai Niyomdecha, had a vision in which an old gray haired man with a long white mustache tells him he must go down to the beach the following day where he will find a gift.

The next day, Hatchai and his younger brother duly head down to the beach. Despite walking up and down the length of the shore, they see nothing that could be considered a gift. Disappointed, they headed home but not before collecting a few sea snails that were attached to an old buoy lying in the shallows thinking at least they could get a meal out of the trip.

They handed the shell fish to their father so he could prepare a lunch. As their father cleaned the snails he discovered a giant orange Melo Melo pearl about the size of a quarter (an inch in diameter!)

Unlike normal pearls which are formed inside oyster shells, Melo Melo pearls are created inside the shell of a Volutes sea snail – a predatory shell fish which can grown up to half a meter in length. A small irritant inside the shell can cause the snail to secrete layer after layer of calcite and aragonite to ease the discomfort.

These secretions can build up over many years to create almost golf ball size pearls and as they cannot be cultured like oysters, they are always completely natural. An orange color with flame like patterns is the most valuable type.

The fishing family showed the pearl to friends who assured them it was worth a fortune. Very quickly word spread to a local businessman who offered them a million baht (about $30,000) on the spot – an enormous figure.

They took more advice and received another offer from Bangkok of 5 million baht before getting word that a Chinese billionaire was flying in to pay 10 million baht for the gemstone!

As Mr Hatchai said at the time ‘The money won’t just change my life, it will change my destiny. My whole family will have better lives.’

It is here that the feel-good tale takes a horrible twist.

The worldwide publicity over the fabulous find caught the attention of the local police who had an outstanding warrant for Mr Hatchai in connection to a drug smuggling ring. A big celebration party where loud music and the smell of narcotics led to complaints by the neighbors and a raid by the police.

Mr Hatchai was arrested and taken to jail although he vehemently denies the accusations.

In the meantime, there is a Chinese businessman in two weeks quarantine in Bangkok and a suitcase full of money ready to buy but the current whereabouts of the Melo Melo pearl is not certain.

For pearls for sale without such an intriguing back story please take a look at our product page here. There are no Melo Melo but some gorgeous alternatives.

March Birthstone

A quick reminder that the birthstone for March is Aquamarine. If you are still recovering from the icy spell that enveloped the northern hemisphere, these gorgeous glittering blue gemstones will transport you to the shores of crystal clear tropical oceans in a moment.

If you prefer your gemstones to be a bit more meaningful and resolute, the secondary birthstone is the historic and spiritual bloodstone, a stunning opaque green stone with flecks of red.

Both would make excellent gifts for loved ones or for yourself this March.

We love getting your questions about gemstones

Every month we answer questions of general interest from our customers. Please feel free to send your questions or suggestions to our support team at help@gemselect.com

To ensure you can receive our emails, please be sure to add help@gemselect.com to your list of safe contacts, or add us into your email address book! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, and queries! We respond to every email we receive.

That should do it for this month.

Stay safe and stay warm.

Happy Gemstone Hunting!

Team GemSelect