Bill Larson and Friends in Burma, 2013

In late September and early October, Pala International’s Bill Larson made his 34th trip to Burma. Bill’s traveling companions this time were George Hickox and Jon Sigerman. The trip began with a VIP reception for photographer Richard K. Diran, attended by Aung San Suu Kyi. The three also visited the gem mines of Mogok.
 

Pictures at an exhibition. At the reception for Richard Diran’s exhibit, “The Vanishing Tribes of Burma.” From left, George Hickox, Richard Diran, Bill Larson and Jon Sigerman. (Photo: A lovely Burmese girl)

Photo op. Pala International’s Bill Larson snapped this photo of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after meeting her at the reception for photographer Richard Diran, right. “I was able to address the ruby sanctions problem with her,” Bill told us. “She was quite aware and mentioned it would be ‘addressed in the proper way.’ Very astute. She was amazing. Strong, beautiful, intelligent and she was still able to concentrate on the exhibition with hundreds of people pressing and thousands of photographs being taken.”

Permission granted. Access to the rubyland of Mogok has opened up a bit, but it still is restricted, being opened for special invitees. (Photos: Bill Larson)

Alluvial ruby-sapphire mines in the Sakangyi area. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Bill Larson checks the number of bars on his smart phone beneath a welcome sight. (Photo: George Hickox)

Butterfly Hotel. One of only two in Mogok and the only one with hot water most of the time. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Stupas (Buddhist shrines) on the road to Pyaung-Gaung to visit the peridot mines. (Photo: Bill Larson)

The approach to the Pyaung-Gaung peridot mining area. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Bill Larson stands before the entrance to the peridot mine as the mine’s manager looks on. (Photo: Jon Sigerman)

Bucket bouquet. A cluster of mine buckets is transported down the shaft where 20–30 miners work underground sending up mined material. Peridots form in “pockets.” The mine’s manager said they had encountered few of late. (Photo: Bill Larson)

A pocket remains to show guests how the peridot forms in the peridotite. Alas, no good crystals were left. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Rough peridot found on the richer area of the tailings, above. Below, miners show what they found in the tailings. (Photos: Bill Larson)

An active ruby-sapphire alluvial mine in Pyaung-Gaung region, above. Below, gravity separation sluices. (Photos: Bill Larson)

Monastery in downtown Mogok. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Foot-powered cutting rig for faceting and cabbing. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Famous Dattaw ruby mine, above. Below, on the road to the Bawpadan in-situ ruby mining district. (Photos: Bill Larson)

Entrance to the Bawpadan ruby mine. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Underground at Bawpadan. Note the recent flooding from rains; the productive area is flooded for the next several months. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Cross section and plan views of the Bawpadan mine. (Photo: Bill Larson)

George Hickox stands at a newly constructed washing plant at a second Bawpadan ruby mine where they have readied hundreds of tons of potential ruby-producing alluvial and cave remnants. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Pagoda of a different design, near Kathé. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Women’s gem market in downtown Mogok. Below, negotiating with a dealer who smiles, indicating that she is winning. (Photos: Bill Larson)

Done deal. Bill Larson shakes hands with a vendor after making a purchase. (Photo: George Hickox)

Very intelligent lady dealers. Bill Larson: “They know more than most Tucson dealers.” (Photo: Bill Larson)

A family affair. The wood paste worn by these women is a beauty mark and sunscreen combined. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Another find. But is she smiling a little bit too much? (Photo: George Hickox)

Master cutter of friend Tant Zin, above. Note the foot power. He is cutting yellow sapphire cabochons and can finish 20–30 day depending on size. Below, rough sapphire directly from the mine. (Photos: Bill Larson)

Old working at the Bawmar mine, above. Below, the sorting area at the Bawmar mine. (Photos: Bill Larson)

Lots of kyats. A successful auction had taken place. Note the automated money counter (next to masked man). The bid was 700 million kyats in a country where the largest bills are 10 thousand. That’s at least 7,000 bills to count! ~950 kyat = $1.00. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Marble bath. This interior design incorporates the ruby-bearing marbles! (Photo: Bill Larson)

Rough sapphire from the Bawmar mine. Note the even blue color, which makes creating the line bracelets very easy. The largest line just above tray was ~120 carats; asking price $920,000. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Future UCLA students. They have the backpacks. (Photo: Bill Larson)

A fine ~20-carat pink sapphire crystal seen in several markets with an asking price of $260,000 from a non-owner. Upon finding the owner the price dropped to $50,000. But that’s Mogok… (Photo: Bill Larson)

The men’s afternoon market in Kyatpyin. The throng includes thousands of dealers. (Photo: Bill Larson)