Shine on Pailin gems seen fading

THE precious stone industry in Pailin province is facing bankruptcy as supplies dwindle and locals turn to agriculture as their main source of revenue, provincial authorities told the Post. Pailin, long known for its rubies, sapphires and other precious stones, now depends on foreign imports to keep its jewelry shops stocked. Still, many of those shops continue to close in the face of waning interest as the local population chooses instead to plant cassava and other crops…

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