Buying Sapphires
In Pailin, Cambodia
The search for quality natural sapphires in Pailin, Cambodia
Table of Contents
- To Cambodia in Search of Sapphires
- A Journey to the Gem Markets of Pailin
- The Geology of Pailin Mined Sapphires
- A Case of Mistaken Identity?
- A Hunt for the Pailin Sapphire Mines
- Raising Awareness for the Pailin Gemstone Trade
"Achain of unforeseen events cancelled my gemstone-buying trip to Sri Lanka in October 2024, and as I was stationed in Thailand at the time, so I turned my attention to Cambodia."
1. To Cambodia in Search of Sapphires
When I visited Cambodia in 2016, I vaguely remembered cluttered shops full of gemstones around the Pub Street area of Siem Reap. I even purchased a small black Cambodian sapphire, which I took home to New Zealand. This was the first sapphire I ever brought in my lifetime and well before my gem-dealing days. Little was I to know where the flowing current of time would take me and the undiscovered career that lay ahead in the not-so-distant future.
Fast-forward to 2024, and I have been working in the gemstone industry since 2021. I was intrigued by the prospect of revisiting Cambodia in search of gemstone mines and markets. I had been regularly buying Cambodian blue zircon and Cambodian spinel from the Chanthaburi Gems Market and The Jewelry Trade Center in Bangkok, so I had some knowledge of the beautiful gemstones originating from Cambodia, but I wanted to learn more. I wanted to embark on a gemstone hunt.
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Visa granted, we booked a flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap, boarded the ATR-72, and touched down in the northwestern city one hour later. The airport was quiet, and we quickly made our way through immigration. We booked a taxi and drove for a further hour to reach the centre of Siem Reap City.
Siem Reap is the gateway city to the awe-inspiring ancient ruins of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Steeped in history, this once-quiet village transformed into a bustling hub as explorers and scholars uncovered the ancient Khmer Empire's majestic temples hidden within the jungle. The name Siem Reap means "Defeat of Siam," reflecting centuries of conflict with neighbouring Thailand. Today, Siem Reap blends old-world French charm with the modern comforts of affordable 5-star hotels, lively markets, eclectic dining, and a thriving arts scene. Within hours of arriving in Cambodia, I remembered why I loved it so much the first time I visited many years before: the slower pace and the wonderfully warm people. I felt welcomed the first time I visited and felt welcomed again.
Visiting The Bayon Temple in the impressive Angkor Wat complex
In the lead-up to travelling to Cambodia, I researched the internet to find the best places to go in search of gems. I scrolled through pages and pages on Google, and I found the information to be limited, with mixed reviews. I was embarking on this gem-hunting journey with a limited plan, some hope, and blind faith that I would find what I was looking for. My search started in the tourist district of Siem Reap, an area called Pub Street. Finding several gemstone dealers with shops on the main drag wasn't hard. The quality of the gemstones was average, and it was easy to spot synthetic gemstones mixed in with natural gemstones. It was okay—nothing breathtaking—but it wouldn't do. We needed more. We needed to find the source of the Cambodian sapphires.
Ruby rough at a gem store on Pub Street in Siem Reap.
2. A Journey to the Gem Markets of Pailin
Pailin, Cambodia, was a 216km drive from Siem Reap. We knew this was the best destination to find Cambodia's most beautiful sapphires because this is where the sapphire mines were located. Interestingly, Pailin is 90km from Chanthaburi, Thailand's oldest gem market and gemstone mining area, and we learned later on that Pailin and Chanthaburi shared a deeply entwined history. Hiring a local driver, we began our 4-hour road trip through the lush green provinces of Cambodia. Cambodia is a lovely country that is now peaceful, lush, and fertile.
As we reached the outskirts of Pailin, a towering 10-metre-tall Buddha carved into the side of Phnom Sampov Mountain came into view. We pulled over and climbed out of our car to marvel at the Buddha's size and the precision of the carving.
Phnom Sampeau Buddha 12 km west of Battambang city on the road to Pailin
We weren't sure what to expect in Pailin; we were quietly hoping there would be something, but we were unsure of what! It was a relief that as we reached the outskirts of Pailin, a large sign hung over the road that read "Welcome to Pailin", book-ended between the illustrations of a large sapphire and ruby.
Welcome to Pailin Provence. The Sapphire and Ruby on the sign gave us hope of finding qualaity gemstones.
As we drove on the main road into the township of Pailin, the right-hand side of the road was lined with small, family-owned gemshops and on the left-hand side of the road sat the spiritual mountain of Phnom Yat, a place of worship for the local people. A large statue of a grandmother known as Yiey Yat was the most striking addition to the base of Phnom Yat. Stairs lead up to the shrine that housed her, and locals knelt before her, giving their offerings and saying their prayers. Hundreds of incense burnt in large urns filled with sand, and the smell of sandalwood hung thick in the air.
Yiey Yat (Grandmother Yat) Shrine in Pailin, Cambodia
A local Pailin gem dealer and her many gemstones
In the rich tapestry of Cambodian folklore, Yiey Yat, affectionately known as Grandmother Yat, plays a pivotal role in the legends surrounding Pailin. Her story beautifully intertwines with the region's lush natural beauty and its famed gemstone heritage. According to local legend, hunters once ventured into the forests around Pailin, where they encountered Yiey Yat, a mystical hermit residing in the mountains. Disturbed by the hunters' intent to harm her animal companions, she requested they cease their hunting activities. In return for their compassion, she promised a reward at a specific stream on Mount Yat. Following her advice, the hunters proceeded to the stream and witnessed an otter (in Khmer, "pey") joyfully playing ("leng") in the water. The otter approached them, revealing a mouth filled with precious gemstones. This enchanting event led to the area being named "Pey Leng," which became known as Pailin over time and through linguistic evolution. To honour Yiey Yat's compassion, the local community established a shrine near the summit of Phnom Yat (Mount Yat). Visitors to this sacred site can find a modest statue of Grandmother Yat, alongside representations of the magical otter.
We couldn't speak each others languages but we still managed to do business!
We brought some beautiful sapphires from this mother-daughter gem dealing team
While appreciating the shrine of Yiey Yat, we made our way down the street on foot, visiting each gem store, which consisted of a glass display case filled with gems. It was hot and reasonably quiet. Foreigners didn't venture here often. No one spoke English, and we only spoke a little Thai, not the local language of Khmer. We asked to see the best gems. "Show us your best", we would say to each dealer. This was when we started to look at some beautiful gemstones, royal blue sapphires, green sapphires, rubies, and zircon. After the long road trip to Pailin, seeing precious gemstones was a relief; our travels had not been in vain.
Cambodian citrine and unheated brown zircon.
It was a pleasure to view the many beautiful gemstones the local dealers offered. Alongside sapphires and the odd ruby, we saw many other beautiful gemstones, including blue zircon, one of Cambodia's treasures. Prices were excellent, especially for smaller melee-sized sapphire lots, which were cut in-house by the local gems dealers who also doubled skilled gem cutters. We made several purchases of beautiful green sapphires. The unknown was whether these sapphires had undergone beryllium treatment, which is common for green sapphires from Pailin and Chanthaburi. As there was no way to test this and communication was difficult due to the language barrier, we had to take a calculated risk, which fortunately paid off.
Another local Pailin gem dealer showing us his beautiful gemstones
Inspecting the beautiful examples of Cambodian brown zircon.
3. The Geology of Pailin Origin Sapphires
"During the late 20th century, the Khmer Rouge capitalised on the region's rich gem deposits to fund their operations, making these sapphires some of the earliest-known "conflict gemstones."
The origins of Pailin's sapphires trace back millions of years to volcanic activities that formed corundum crystals deep within the Earth. Over centuries, natural weathering released these crystals from their basaltic origins, depositing them into riverbeds where they awaited discovery. The unique geological conditions of Pailin give these gems their signature vivid blue colouration.
Pailin sapphires and rubies have long been revered in the world of fine gemstones for their exceptional quality and scarcity. Their vibrant blues range from lighter shades to rich, royal tones, rivalling even the most celebrated sapphires from Kashmir and Burma. Historically, gem traders often valued Pailin sapphires more highly than those from Sri Lanka, Thailand, or Australia.
Gemologists have noted that Pailin sapphires commonly exhibit dense milky inclusions, colour zoning, and bands of tiny particles. Characteristic inclusions may include minerals like pyrochlore, plagioclase feldspar, and zircon, further distinguishing these precious stones from other origins.
Unfortunately, Pailin's gemstones have a complicated past. During the late 20th century, the Khmer Rouge capitalised on the region's rich gem deposits to fund their operations, making these sapphires some of the earliest-known "conflict gemstones." Though large-scale mining has since diminished, local artisanal miners continue to unearth sapphires and rubies from riverbeds, especially during the dry season.
Today, royal blue sapphires from Pailin are lesser-known; however, they remain highly coveted by collectors who are 'in the know', not only for their beauty but also for the rich and layered history they represent.
The main river through Pailin was traditionally rich with sapphires and ruby deposits
4. A Case Of Mistaken Identity?
Early on, I had questions about why Cambodian sapphires were not being evaluated as 'Cambodian origin' at gem labs. It was clear that Cambodia was still producing some spectacular sapphires, albeit in lower volumes than neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam. Why was Cambodia not getting recognition for its sapphires and rubies? It seemed an injustice to the local economy, which was very quiet because gem hunters were overlooking this location in favour of other sapphire-producing locations. Gem labs used the term 'Siam Origin' or 'Thailand Origin' and never Cambodian origin.
Example of a Pailin mined sapphire given a Siam origin on the identification report in Bangkok.
Chanthaburi (in Thailand) and Pailin (in Cambodia) share a deep and intertwined history when it comes to gemstones, particularly sapphires and rubies. This relationship dates back centuries and continues to shape the gemstone trade and industry in both regions.
Both Chanthaburi and Pailin are situated within the same ancient volcanic belt that runs through the Thai-Cambodian border. This geological formation is rich in basaltic rocks, which are prime sources of corundum—the mineral family that includes sapphires and rubies. As a result, both areas are renowned for producing high-quality blue sapphires, rubies, and other coloured gems.
Viewing a selection of sapphires at a local gem dealers store
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chanthaburi emerged as a thriving gem trading hub, attracting miners and gem traders from across Asia and further afield. When significant deposits were later discovered in Pailin, miners from Chanthaburi moved across the border to exploit these new finds, bringing their expertise and trade networks with them. The close proximity and similar gem profiles made it a natural progression for Pailin gemstones to be traded through Chanthaburi's bustling markets. Gemstones from both regions are celebrated for their rich colours and excellent clarity. Pailin sapphires, in particular, are known for their vivid royal blue colour, often rivalling those from Kashmir and Burma. Similarly, Chanthaburi has long been known for producing deep blue sapphires and rubies with vibrant red hues.
Today, Chanthaburi remains one of the world's most important gem-trading and cutting centres globally, with most gems originating from Pailin passing through its market to be cut, treated, or sold.
A local man faceting sapphires for his gem shop
Pailin and Chantaburi have seen their economies shaped by the gem trade, and the cultural connection between them remains strong. Families and businesses often have roots on both sides of the border, and trading relationships persist despite modern border controls.The connection between Chanthaburi and Pailin is not just one of geographical proximity but also a shared history of gemstone mining and trading. The sapphire and ruby trade continues to be a crucial economic driver for both regions, linking them through their mutual passion for Earth's rarest and most beautiful treasures.
These are some of the reasons why gem labs cannot distinguish the differences between the Pailin-origin sapphires and the Chanthaburi-origin sapphires because the geological conditions are nearly identical. Additionally, Pailin does not have a gem laboratory, whereas Thailand has many gem labs, some being the most prestigious in the world.
5. A Hunt for the Pailin Sapphire Mines
Hiring a local tuk-tuk driver, our adventure of exploring Pailin continued. We wanted to see some active sapphire mines and headed into the countryside on a bumpy journey down dirt roads. Unfortunately, it was rainy season, and due to the high water levels, work to uncover the gemstones had ceased. Though we were able to view the areas where the mining took place, the machinery sat stationery and there was no locals miners around. Sapphire mining in Pailin, Cambodia, primarily occurs during the dry season, typically from November to April. During this time, river levels are lower, making it easier for miners to access gem-bearing gravels in riverbeds and streams. The dry conditions also make it safer and more practical for manual and small-scale mining operations, as heavy rains during the wet season (May to October) can flood mining sites and make the terrain difficult to navigate. It was October, and we were at the back end of the rainy season. The large river, where much of the mining took place, instead had young locals swimming and enjoying the cool waters. It was picturesque.
Our transportation throughout our stay in Pailin. A tuk tuk with a friendly local driver.
The lush backroads of Pailin Provence
6. Raising Awareness for the Pailin Gemstone Trade
In future, how can we support the Pailin gemstone industry? Travelling to the source to buy is always the answer. Business appeared very slow for the local gem dealers of Pailin, and I wondered if some of that might be because their beautiful sapphires didn't get the recognition of origin during the gem reporting process. I don't think many people, even in the gem industry, know that Cambodia is a source of gem-quality sapphires and rubies, as they are usually categorised as 'Siam' or 'Thailand origin. If you are a gem hunter or enthusiast looking for a unique experience away from the well-beaten tracks of Ratnapura, Beruwala and Chanthaburi, then Pailin, Cambodia, is worth considering. The gems are well-priced, and there are excellent deals to be had. However, because there is no gem lab, there are some risks associated with buying there, and your level of knowledge should be high to reduce the risk of purchasing a synthetic gemstone. When we travel to the Pailin, we naturally support the local economy and bring in much-needed dollars to the locals. We practice fair trade, giving the dealers the asking price for their gemstones. We also undertake gemological laboratory checks before we list the sapphire in our online store.