Where the gemstones sparkle in Hanoi

By Ngoc Thanh   July 24, 2017 | 08:06 pm PT
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves would be right at home at this treasure trove, so keep an eye on your bling.
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This gemstone flea market has been opening every Sunday morning since late 2015.

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The market covers 400 square meters (4,305 square feet) at 456 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Ba Dinh District.

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Here, you can find both suiseki, which means stones in their original state, and biseki, stones that have been carved or polished.

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Various types of gemstones are on sale at this market, costing from a few dollars to tens of thousands.

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Sometimes, there are auctions for rare and valuable gems.

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A carver named Nguyen Duy Bao holds two spinel gems. He says this blue spinel is one of the rarest colors in nature and very hard to find on the market.

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This stone was found deep in the ground and weighs more than 20 kilograms. Its owner says the stone is formed from iron and has sapphire on the surface.

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 A woman presents her precious gems.

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Buyers usually use a torch or sunlight to test the quality of gemstones.

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Professional carvers are available at the market to shape your stones.

 
 
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