Diamond town
Gems from the rivers.
Martapura is Indonesia's diamond town, where gems have been dug from the river deposits around it by traditional methods for centuries. At its heart is a large market known as the gem market, with dozens of shops selling diamonds, rubies, emeralds, agates and pearls, and rings and jewellery made from them. Visitors come from all over Indonesia and abroad to browse the glass cases and watch jewellers polishing stones. A short way off, in the Cempaka area, are the traditional diamond mines, where workers pan mud in flooded pits with wooden bowls as their grandfathers did, which can be visited with a guide. Entry is free. Bargaining is expected; ask for a certificate for valuable stones and beware of fakes. Martapura is also known for its piety and its great mosque. Buy from established shops and never buy an expensive stone without checking it. Combine the market with the Cempaka mines for a half day from Banjarmasin.
Gems from the rivers.
Traditional panning.
Polishing before you.
Martapura, about 40 km east of Banjarmasin
Many are, but fakes exist too. Buy from established shops, ask for certificates on valuable stones, and distrust very low prices.