THAILAND
On my travels to SE Asia in March. I had already visited Australia via Hong Kong in January/February. I then started my second trip of the year back through Hong Kong and visited Vietnam (See Travelling Stones Part 2-Vietnam with the White Marble), then I did a few days in the heart of Bangkok to do some unique stone shopping as one of the largest markets I had ever been to. The Chatuchak (or Jatujak (aka JJ) ;Thai: จตุจักร) weekend market and is the largest market in Thailand. I spent many hours just poking through the main section where stones and other items could be found. That had just about everything else there too. It was a good thing I got there early, because by about 1pm, it was so packed, it was like fighting a crowd leaving a concert to get in. I had too much stuff in my bag and left almost 20lbs heavier.
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| Chatuchak Market: Larger than a few football fields. |
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| First thing in the morning, still getting set up. |
I managed to get a few samplers of some of the stuff. The plan is to return again next year and get a few more items if they are popular.
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| Blue Granite |
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| Serpentine Beads |
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| Serpentine Column Beads |
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| Lapis Lazuli |
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| Tibetan Turquiose Round |
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| Tibetian Turquoise Oval |
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| Serpentine Leafs |
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| Large Turquoise |
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| Garnets |
I picked up a few raw stones, and a few pre-cut/beaded stones. One of the best finds was a handful of Lapis Lazuli and Tibetian Turquiose. I also got a few fun Sepentine varieties like some of the yellow /green columnar and round stones. I had to just try a few of the stones for 2011 Rock line items this year, with none making it to market yet, due to the third big trip of the year to Peru in Oct/November, but I will be making much more in early 2012. See the 2012 ROCKLINE upcoming.
Some of my earliest uses of the stones I got in Thailand are
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| Tibentan Turquoise Necklace: made from beads from Bangkok JJ Market |
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| Blue Granite Square necklace |
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| Serpentine Stone Bead Necklace:from JJ Market in Bangkok |
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| Lapis Lazuli Stone Beads: from the JJ Market in Bangkok |
