FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[barbie90]

why himaliya mines gemstones are so expensive,while ı was looking for sth to buy ,ı come across with the specimens of himalian but they are mmetric ,when theyre compared to same size other specimens ,they are more pricely

[Turbo]

It may be because the Himalaya mine is no longer producing, so the stones have taken on a historical significance.

[Peter]

Prices of tourmaline even from a single mine like the Himalaya Mine varie a great deal, first of all by color, transparency, shape, perfection and overall quality, associations, and by dealer/collector path.
With the last is for example a crystal was bought from the mine in 1980s for 500 dollar. It was then sold some years later for 1200. It was then sold as part of a colelction a few more years down the road and that dealer buying it, may not appreciate its real qualities and sells it for 750 dollar together with a dozen other specimens. The collector or dealer buying these highly appreciate this very fine specimen and some years later price it at 2200. He would have been willing to pay that price himself!
If you google Himalay Mine tourmaline I am sure you can find many price worthy crystals in your style. Naturally very fine crystals, with a pleasing overall esthetics, undamaged, great colors etc will fetch a goof price. It may be a weeks salary, a months salary but for sure it is not easy to find such a crystal during only a week or a months search! And a mine owner, has to by the mining rights, in some countries the property, get licenses, develop the property and mine... often at huge cost. In short it is a lot easier and safer to make money by selling cocacola bottles to tourists at a beach of a famous resort then mining! Knowing the hard work and costs, I think most fine mineral specimens are very inexpensive in comparison to the difficulty to find one!!! That does not mean that we can afford them all!

Good luck of finding one or two at your liking and budget!

[robynahawk]

Actually the Himalaya is still producing - just nothing of Historical Significance...

I have some Himalaya Tourmaline that would be much less expensive from their Mine Dig...

[barbie90]

how much are they?they are so beautiful

[robynahawk]

Sorry Barbie - those are mine - I usually keep all my self collected material ;-)
If you are in SoCal you can dig your own...both the Himalaya and the Oceanview offer
Fee Digs.

If you can't get to Southern California they also mail bags of High Grade Ore.

Info at their website:
https://www.highdesertgemsandminerals.com/

...and Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HimalayaTourmalineMine
(links normalized by FMF)

[Jordi Fabre]