Who has never dreamed of finding a little gold to make a beautiful ticket with? In this corner of France, no gold in the key but the promise of precious stones which are also worth a small fortune.
Contrary to what one might think, precious stones are not only found in Asia or Latin America. Surprise: France also hides a formidable deposit of gems! Few people know it, but our soil contains several types of precious and semi-precious stones, hidden in certain regions. A particular corner is more than the others …
Already, what is a precious stone precisely? The term only applies to four rare and highly sought -after gems: diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald. Their brilliance, their hardness and their rarity make it undisputed stars of jewelry. These stones, whether precious or not, are formed at the heart of the earth, under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. Over time, they are released by the erosion of rocks, especially volcanic, and are deposited in the alluvium of the rivers. And as France also has a rich volcanic heritage, some of these natural treasures are indeed hidden under our feet.
Indeed, France houses – to date – the largest deposit of sapphires in Europe! This precious stone, rare and coveted, is generally found in tropical countries like Madagascar or Sri Lanka. However, it is at the heart of Auvergne that this natural treasure is hidden. There, enthusiasts complain about the sediments of the rivers in search of these stones of a deep blue, sometimes almost transparent, with bright reflections and with captivating shine. Beauty born of volcanic entrails, which can be worth up to 10,000 euros per gram for the rarest specimens.
In 2023, a river near Issoire, in Puy-de-Dôme, even became the subject of many lusts. Exceptional finds have enabled some lucky people to earn several million euros reports The Parisian. But a quarrel, having required the seizure of justice, then broke out. Because there are rules to respect even if collecting is legal on the principle.
Before you start, it is better to know the rules. The collection of minerals is authorized, provided that the legal framework is respected. The activity must remain occasional, without extraction in large quantities, and cannot be done on private land without authorization or on a protected site. Finally, if you have the chance to find a promising stone, the best is still to consult an expert. He alone can establish a real “identity sheet” of the sapphire, guaranteeing his authenticity and his value!
