People at Suoi Giang Commune in the mountainous province of Yen Bai have rushed to look for ornamental stones for sale.
Over the past four years, a kind of stone named “Da mo coi” (rocks standing independently and separately from others) has become their target. The stones have strange and eye-catching shapes. “Da mo coi” attracts great attention from ornamental stone aficionados and the locals seek the strangely shaped stone formations in the hope of changing their lives.
Facing dangers on the mountain side
After spending half day tramping around mountain slopes in Suoi Giang Commune, Vang A De, a Mong ethnic minority man, has found a large “Da mo coi”. He said, once sold, the stone could feed his family for fortnight.
It is just four kilometres to transport the stone to Suoi Giang Commune, but, the road is very rough. He has to cross high slopes and slippery streams.
Vang A De said locals started seeking “Da mo coi” in 2007. They can spend several days taking big stones to the commune for sale.They can spend several days taking big stones to the commune for sale. They had to install heavy shock absorbers and dampers to their motorbikes.. However, these kinds of stone have become rarer due to massive exploitation over recent years, therefore, and many have turned to looking for rocks with distinctive vein patterns.
During late afternoon, dozens of people take their motorbikes to the mountains in Cay Nam area to find the stones.
As expensive as gold
Cay Nam is home to the largest stone purchasing agent in Suoi Giang. People transport the stones to the agent and after bargaining; they will sell them to the trader who will bring the stones to fabrication workshops.
Tung, a seller said there was no fixed prices for ornamental stones and the prices depended on interest level of customers. “Da mo coi” in the shape of a heart, mother or girl can be sold for VND200-600 million (USD9,500-28,500). Germ stones or those with ore veins ar priced at just a few millions of VND to VND150 million.
He also said “A heart-shaped “Da moi coi” can reach prices of nearly VND1 billion (USD47,619) and stone pictures can be worth hundreds of millions of VND.”
Dangers
Vang A Tinh had an accident when he came to Suoi Giang to seek stones in 2008. While taking the stone out of the forest by motorbike, he fell down and the stone crushed his left leg. However, since recovering the 46 year-old has continued the stone hunting work.
People often stand halfway down the mountain to drill stones, posing dangers for themselves and other people.
A stone hunter said, “It is normal to face accidents when hunting, but the most serious case is just broken arms. We’ve done this job for several years, but no-one’s died.”
“Since early this year, the amount of exploited stones have decreased, especially, “Da mo coi” have become scare, so fewer traders visit Suoi Giang. However, this is just a temporarily situation as local agents have large stores of ornamental stones. When they sell out, they will continue buying the stones and the stone hunting is likely to return,” local stone hunter Giang A Thao said.
Vang A De trying to carry a stone double his weight
A stone purchase outlet in Cay Nam
A heart-shaped stone being sold
