A gem dealer's journal

Hey Loungers, By now we have all heard of the legendary Lotus Gemology team. We all know via papers and interviews, the ruby & sapphire colossus, Richard W. Hughes, and his equally talented daughter, E. Billie Hughes. Yet little is known about the missing link in that trinity. Wimon Manorotkul is not only a talented gemmologist in her own right, and a skilled photographer to boot, But she is arguably the person that brought the other two members of her family to the world of gems. You read that right, she is the one who enrolled Richard for his first...

Hey Loungers, Today we’re happy to introduce you to one of the many people working in the shadows for the trade. Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing one of the famous scouts and gem hunters the trade relies on. Today we interview the man who, in his own words, is living the dream. Some of you may have seen him in recent years alongside Vincent Pardieu in expeditions, talking to prominent gem dealers about securing rough gemstones half way around the globe or sharing pictures of his ranch on internet during his down time. Today we propose you to...

Hey Loungers, His name is Zyubenko, Dmitry Zyubenko and the trade has about as many urban legends about his past as there are stones available. Today we receive the cheerful Dmitry to learn more about his path and his trade. Today we get to see another facet of our Eastern friends and the east European gem trade! Dmitry, tovarish (comrade), the floor is yours!     Dmitry Zyubenko is with us in the Lounges today - Photo Credits: Dmitry Zyubenko   AsiaLounges: Privet, Dmitry! Thank you very much for being with us today. Let’s start with learning a bit about...

Hey Loungers, Today we have the pleasure of restarting an arc that we began a few years ago with E.Billie Hughes. Today, we are blessed with the presence of the Space Enchanter: Danny Sanchez! We discovered Danny’s work a few years back as we were discussing photomicrography with some of his peers here in Bangkok. Since then, we have had the pleasure of purchasing a few of his shots and finally met him before the COVID folie really kicked in on a world-wide basis at Tucson 2020. Today, we are given the opportunity to discuss his path, his art and...

Hey Loungers, Today, for the second consecutive chapter and third opus of our Nomad’s Arc we interview our pal Sébastien Bahri. Sébastien brings the French touch to our favourite nomadic team by co-hosting the sales and marketing chair with Josh Saltzman in Nomad’s Bangkok office. Today we’ll learn of Sébastien’s path and colourful daily activities. Seb, the floor is yours,   Welcoming Sébastien Bahri and his Tanzanite from Nomad's in the Lounges - Photo Credits: Nomad's Co., Ltd   AsiaLounges: First of all thank you Sébastien for being with us today in the Lounges. Can you tell us more about...