Gemsicuted

A gem novel about an unheated 37 carat Mogok Burma ruby

Gemsicuted: put to death in accordance with a plan because of gemstones

“Intrigue! Thrills, romance, mystery are just a few words to describe this book by Julian Robov. Whether you have knowledge of the world of colored stones is immaterial as the author reveals the characters and landmarks of the gem trade of Bangkok. If you have visited the Silom, Mahesak or Surawong Roads of the city, your imagination will let you identify some of the ‘characters portrayed’ in this revealing story. No other book incorporates the centuries old culture of the gem business, which the author has been an active participant in both on the African continent and the small Kingdom of Thailand. A ‘must read’ book for those who want to explore a different environment of gems from the glossy advertisement of the jewelry industry.”

Margaret Magnussen


Written by Julian Robov

“The first spiritual want of barbarous man is decoration.”
Thomas Carlyle



Two

The ruby capital of the world! The city of the rich and famous, and the pathetic poor. The penultimate reward. The transaction and relationship capital where everyone borrowed and spent their success, vicariously, living and transmitting their fame in women, Ferraris, jewelry and gemstones, or anything in your face they could put their hands on. When it came to the most precious gems, the big ones, everyone became desperate to own one special gemstone, a ruby. This darling gemstone, for centuries, had the allure to captivate the rich and famous and the ones who wanted glimpse one, came to one place on earth. BANGKOK! At Ris Rubyhall Towers! The city also became the most convenient stopover for the elite to poach and swap their success and love stories.

A late July, Saturday afternoon, under the gray sky, Tito Mathews and his business partner, Miko Francis to seek relief from the pathetic weekend business transactions took their usual corner seat at The Redd’s Bar and Restaurant behind the Central Department Store on Silom Road. The Redd’s owners, Mike and his wife Nikki, entertained patrons by swapping interesting stories of the day often joined by their two daughters, San and Tan. There were a few bankers, sales reps from the top jewelry companies, brokers, fashion designers, giggling and swapping their seats, either to talk loudly and share a silly joke or to seek new friends, for the weekend bedroom ritual. And to add further, the big losers of the week arrived at the Redd’s special table willing to share their miscalculations either in numbers or forecasts as trade for a quickie. The bar became a refuge for the winners and losers to live and share for a few precious hours, to recharge themselves for the unpredictable opening new day. Tito and Miko were no exception.

Tito & Miko Gems Company, a partnership business in operation for the past ten years in Bangkok, specialized in rubies from 2carat to 8carats. Sometimes they consigned from others, if they had a customer for above 8carat rubies. The market trusted them. Business boomed, as merchants and collectors came from all over the world, looking for those special rubies. The ones, who knew the landscape, got what they wanted, at a cost. Tito’s and Miko’s specialty in rubies, and the skillful way of penetrating even the top dealers, who specialized in 10carat and above, had made for themselves a name among a small number of elite dealers, who preferred to stay low profile.

In Bangkok, the top dealers took decisions instinctively, and the Thainese (Thai Chinese) dealers believed superstitiously in faces. A make or break gem deal depended on those factors, and the ones who did make never had to look back. For those who were trusted, the right type of rubies became available when requested. Tito and Miko had other sources for gems too.

GEMSTONES FROM THE URAL (Russia)! Roman Pavlov became their prime contact in Moscow. He knew every in and out of the bureaucracy. The partnership worked well and was mutually beneficial. It all started in Bangkok, during a gala dinner at the famed Oriental hotel. It was a happy accident. Tito and Miko arrived at The Redd for a drink. There were several dealers and foreigners busy watching the world cup soccer replay yelling and betting on their favorite country. Brazil stood at the top of the list.

“You shouldn’t have done that to Reema,” Tito continued. “You just blew it up. We could have sold the chick a nice stone. You know what? It’s costing our business dearly. Look at the numbers. What have we done so far? All bloody postdated and dud checks. Two months, four months, nine months, and the fucking cash? Up in the gray sky. What a bloody week!” Tito unleashed his frustrations on to Miko.
“Nikki, two more please,” Miko said.
“Two more what?” Mike asked jokingly.
“The same, you know, chardonnay!” Miko replied.
“Cheers!”
“Now, listen. I want to say something. I bloody like you. Not your mouth, but your heart. Don’t corrupt that. Then we are finished-no more partnership. I go my way and you go to hell. This week is over. If you want to tally the numbers in our favor, we have to steal from someone. By the way, I’ve some good news from one of my acquaintances. If we are lucky, the money we are going to make, will be more than enough for both of us to retire early. Now, you watch the women in the streets,” Tito explained.
Miko loved women. He had a way of comparing women to rubies. At times when he got carried away, the result was quite obvious. LOST SALE!
“Okay. I’ll cool down. It’s over. It’s me again. Your good partner. Let’s talk business. What’s that big deal you talked about just a few minutes ago? I did listen.” Miko became alert.
“This one is a ruby, big one, 37carat, Mogok, Burmese! The bloody red one is in Bangkok, the best of the best. The buyer, if we’re lucky, is Polly Win. The woman loves rubies. She will eat, sleep and drink the stone. Money no problem. She wants a big one, and a big one is already in town. You know her husband, don’t you?” Tito commented.
“No. I don’t,” Miko replied.
“You know him. Phil Win the business tycoon. He can very well afford pieces like this. The problem is, whether we can afford to buy the piece to sell it to them. We have other commitments to honor, and our reserve money is tied up with those deals,” Tito said reluctantly.
“Well, we need a good plan,” Miko added. “It takes time. But we can do it.”
“Maybe Melvine Sanders, can help us, cut a deal with him, we have done it before,” Tito recalled.
“But not for any stones of this size and quality,” Miko said. “He may want a big cut. Different deal, perhaps.”
“How big?” Tito asked.
“First we talk and negotiate with him, and then you know, a deal can be made. He knows us,” Miko said.
“Well, only time will tell. One thing I’ve known in this business is there is no permanent friendship or enmity. It’s all for bloody money, and money talks here; not us, nor the stones, “ Tito added.
“Well, you have…” Miko looked a bit confused.
“I’m not talking about you, Miko. About others.” There was a compromise.
“Oh, yeah?” Miko asked.
“Well, let it cool down for a while. Something very interesting will turn up. Who knows? Life has always given me surprises.” Tito felt confident.
“Well, in that case, let’s believe in surprises. We have nothing to lose, right?” Miko said.
“Oh, right!” There was a mutual understanding, as they dipped into their wine- glasses gazing at each other’s eyes.
“Nikki, check please. How are you going back?” Tito asked.
“I’ll walk the streets. I want to feel, smell and enjoy the streets. They have a different taste during the weekends. Hey, Tito, my regards to Chichi,” Miko said.
“Oh, thanks, anyway. Take care, Miko. Goodnight! You know what?” Tito commented.
“What?” Miko asked.
“I bloody like you,” Tito continued. “We’ll get the money. I don’t know how. But it will come.”
They both hugged each other, a ritual since they became buddies.
“We’ll see. Night, buddy.”