NW 16:41:32 23-11-2021
KK1639NW.109
109 ECONOMY - TOURISM - GEMS - PRECIOUS STONES

Bulgaria has
Huge Potential to Develop
Gem Hunting


Sofia, November 23 (Hristo Vodenov, BTA) - Bulgaria has huge potential for developing gem hunting as it is rich in natural resources and gold, the SlowTours.bg tourist agency representative, Ekaterina Terzieva, said here on Tuesday.

As a type of tourism, gem hunting is becoming more and more popular throughout the world in recent years. Some of the most preferable locations are in Turkey, Georgia, the United States, Ethiopia, Colombia and Australia.

Purple coloured amethysts, amazing agates, milky chalcedonies and jaspers, all of them lie buried in a mine near the small town of Madzharovo in the Eastern Rhodope mountains. All you have to do to find them is to take a walk around the old mine, Terzieva said, as her agency now offers gem hunting adventure tours.

Located in the crater of an extinct volcano, last erupted approximately 35 million years ago, Madzharovo had developed as a mining center under socialism before 1989. As a result of the long-gone volcanic activity, there are lead, silver, gold and over 16 types of minerals and precious stones, some of which you might pick up if you take a stroll along the beautiful Arda river meanders.

From 1950s until the end of the 1980s Madzharovo was developing as a mining settlement, reaching a population of some 10,000. In the 1990s the state abandoned the Madzharovo lead-zinc mine and aborted the construction of the gemstone processing plant, removing all the installations. Following this, mineral exploration ended, both mines of former mining giant GORUBSO were closed and MadzharovoСs population started to decline. Nowadays, Madzharovo is the second smallest town in Bulgaria after Melnik, having population of 670 people only and the abandoned mine lands now attract mainly mountain guides and stonemasons, most of whom used to work in the mines, others are merely treasure hunters with huge collections of precious and semiprecious stones and third have their own jewelry workshops.

Among the most common gems found here is amethyst. It is a stone of universal therapeutic properties. Jasper also has strong healing and grounding powers. According to the Bible, jasper is a gift from God and is the first stone in the foundations of the new Jerusalem. Chalcedony, which is often found near Madzharovo as well, is a symbol of calmness and coolness and the Tibetan people consider it the gem of pureness and concentration. Agate is believed to provide a balance between physics, emotions, intellect and spirit. You can keep everything you find during the expedition, Terzieva added.

While hunting for gems, the tourists can try the local Eastern Rhodope cuisine, visit some of the dozens Thracian sanctuaries, to go birdwatching and see Egyptian and Griffon vultures, and enjoy the beautiful nature, including the majestic Arda river meanders. LN/KK/КК/