 While some gemstone mines are large operations, most are actually very small and worked by a few miners with basic tools. This mine in Sri Lanka is nothing more than a pit in the ground dug by hand by several laborers. The mines are usually owned by another party who allows the miners to work the claim. The miners are paid a percentage of the mines production. If the mine does not produce, the workers are not paid. |
The workers dig through a top layer of dirt until they reach a layer gem bearing material. |
 The material is hauled out of the pit in straw baskets. The contents are then sifted in water until only the gem bearing gravel remains. |
 The gravel is thoroughly searched for a few stones which may be of value. |
 Here Brett does an onsite inspection of rough material which was just sifted from the mine. |
 A lot of hard work yields two small stones, a red garnet and a light purple spinel. |
Gem Cutting |
 As with gem mining, much of the gem cutting, called faceting, is done in small operations throughout the world. These cutters in Sri Lanka spend countless hours faceting gemstone rough. The gem is held onto the end of a stick, called a dop, by a hard wax. The gem is then pressed against a flat wheel which is covered with an abrasive compound usually containing corundum or diamond dust. This process slowly grinds away portions of the gem and shapes it. The cutters continuously examine the stone until all the facets are complete. The gem is then polished with a very fine dust to bring out the luster and brilliance.
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Rough Stones |
Same stones after faceting |
