GEMSWORLD | 38 | 2019/20 THE SOURCE New challenges Chanthaburi is still one of the biggest gemstone-trading markets in the world but it now faces the challenge of diminishing gem resources. In fact, the number of gemstones discovered from mines in other countries and redirected to Chanthaburi for cutting has considerably gone down. “Some gemstone mining countries also want to develop their manufacturing knowhow, so they export fewer raw materials,” Khunaprapakorn said. “Thailand has to strengthen its relationship with these countries by helping them improve their production, so we can continue procuring rough gemstones from them.” Moreover, he urged the private and public sectors in Thailand to hone a younger generation of gemstone cutters, as well as jewellery designers and manufacturers to further support the industry. Events The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) or GIT and its industry partners are holding the International Chanthaburi Gems and Jewelry Festival 2019 from December 4 to 8. The event is aimed at reinforcing Chanthaburi’s status as the city of gems and for the city to be further recognised in the international stage. This festival, to be held in at least three locations, will also feature events to be conducted by the Chanthaburi Provincial Office and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Other activities lined up on the sidelines of the festival are gemstone auctions, a gemstone- faceting contest, and two awards programmes on jewellery design, and gemstone and jewellery research, respectively. A gemstone cutter in Chanthaburi | 尖竹汶的宝石切磨工人 Coloured gemstones | 有色宝石 A ‘burner’ at a Chanthaburi workshop demonstrates the process of heat treatment using a propane-fueled furnace and ceramic crucibles. Photo by Julius Zheng 尖竹汶的一间工坊，一位“烧石师”在演示运用丙烷加 热的加热炉和瓷质坩埚进行宝石热处理的工艺。照片由 郑嵘提供
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