My interest in stones is more sociological than scientific.  Now that I’m back in California and further exploring the gemstone world, my mind wanders back to the mines in Vietnam, Cambodia, China and the people who labor long hours bringing up stones for wages that come to about thirty dollars a month.  I’m not even sure if I realized at the time I visited these mines what a lasting impact it would have on me but the words and faces of these miners and their families have stayed with me. 

The gap between those who work hardest and its final outcome is enormous.  I wonder if people entering the jewelry trade are fully aware of what mining in the third world entails.  It seems that every gemstone dealer or jeweler should have classes on politics, sociology, economics and foreign trade.  It would be even better if jewelers visited the mining areas but, of course, that’s not always realistic.  Today’s world is more complex than ever before.  If any trade is going to grow, it needs to take into consideration everyone who works for its progress. 

Somewhere between the rice paddies and the jewelry store something is lost.  And it needs to be found and reclaimed.