TEMPO.CO, Banda Aceh - TheGeuruete hills area in Aceh Jaya is a place where gemstone—locally known as akik—sellers flock to sell their goods to passersby in the location, some 70 to 80 kilometers off Banda Aceh.
“This is a blue eye stone. Some people call it Bacan Geureute stone,” said Hasyem, one of the sellers.
According to Hasyem, stones are mined in the low part of Geureute ravine, and some buyers purchase and sell them in Banda Aceh.
Amethyst, chrysolite and lavender gemstones are also offered along the road in Teunom and Panga district, Aceh Jaya regency. Their prices are cheaper than in Banda Aceh. “This is an amethyst. Its price is Rp100,000 per kilogram,” said Muhibuddin, a gemstone seller at Panga.
Amethysts sell at Rp100-200,000 in Banda Aceh if when it has been placed on a ring.
Lavender stones also sell at the same price. If of low quality, its prices can tumble to Rp100,000 per 10 kilograms.
Panga and Teunom are known as producers of chrysolite, lavender and amethyst gemstones. The stones are mined in Panga district hills, far from residential areas. “It takes one hour to go there,” said Muhibuddin.
In Meulaboh, West Aceh, around 250 kilometers from Banda Aceh, hihg-quality jade stones are popular but unavailable in certain markets. “If you want to buy one, you have to meet the seller. The price is expensive,” said Nazar, a local. According to Nazar, expensive stones are usually kept at home and rarely sold. One kilogram of idocrase jade of the solar and neon types can be tagged at Rp25-30 million per kilogram.
The jade stones originate from Pante Ceuremen, West Aceh and Beuting, Nagan Raya. Based on Tempo’s observation, low-quality jade stones are available in Jeuram, Nagan Raya, around 300 kilometers from Banda Aceh.
According to Ilyas, black jade stone is the cheapest. He often gives black jade stones as a bonus to those buying other stones at his stall.
ADI WARSIDI
