Gemstones
Photo: Michelle Jo, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
It is quite common for travellers to buy gems or finished jewellery during a trip. Often price and selection are better in places where stones are mined, cut or set than elsewhere. Caution is required since some vendors are positively predatory, especially in tourist areas. Bargaining is often needed to get a good price, even from an honest vendor.
It does not always apply, but the phrase "touchstone markup" is used in the gem trade. That is a 100% markup; the price will double for every set of hands the stone passes through. Sometimes this means that the price difference between buying at or near the source and buying elsewhere is enormous.
As with any goods that span a wide range of prices, it is safer to avoid the big-ticket items unless you are either an expert yourself or have expert advice, dealing with a large reputable vendor will reduce the risk, and "tourist trap" stores should be avoided. See shopping for other general advice.
Some travellers also dig up gems themselves; see Rockhounds.
UnderstandStones are sometimes classified as precious (diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald, perhaps plus a few others) or semi-precious (everything else) and prices generally reflect this, though some semi-precious stones are…
StonesGems are found all over the world, but some places are famous for certain types. Sites such as Gem Society have details for over 300 gemstones and Wikipedia also has a list.
MuseumsAlmost any natural history museum worldwide will have a geology section, often including some gems. Some mines and many mining towns or regions also have museums with gems.
Ethical concernsThere are two important ethical concerns you might consider in regard to buying gemstones.
Stay healthyYou should avoid wearing gemstones and crystals with magnetic charges if you have implanted medical devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators as they may interfere with these devices.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Gemstones" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Michelle Jo, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons