The gem traders' association estimates that some 20 percent of the province's population
is directly employed in the gem sector, and the indirect benefit is felt in a considerable portion of the province's economy.

The nerve center of Chantaburi's gem trade is the Talaat Ploei, or gem market,
located in the heart of the old town.

The market, an informal collection of open-fronted shophouses at the intersection of Si Chan and Thetsaban streets, operates on weekends from Friday to Sunday.

Thousands of dollars' worth of gems lie scattered on the tables, and African, Indian and Sri Lankan dealers mingle with Thai, Chinese, Japanese and even the occasional Western buyer.

Typically from the mine to the end consumer a gemstone changes hands at least seven  

times,and jumps in price a thousand percent. Even between Chantaburi and Bangkok the price difference can vary by up to 30 percent.

Huddled at rickety tables with jeweler's loupes screwed into their eyes, the buyers rent space at one of the shophouses and put up a sign listing the gems they are interested in acquiring.

Sellers patiently line up to present their stashes and eye the stones of the competition.

It all seems very amicable with no raised voices, just quiet bargaining that leads to a deal being refused or concluded with a handshake.

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