Pacitan's agate, long-lasting souvenir<\/p>\n
By R. Agus Bakti<\/p>\n
PACITAN, Central Java (JP): Pacitan is known as an arid, hilly
\nregency. Although the land is unproductive, many residents
\nprosper thanks to their craftsmanship of agate.<\/p>\n
Agate is available at regular and souvenir stores across the
\nmain town and recreation centers. Agate sellers make a lot of
\nmoney during holidays and on the weekends when holidaymakers
\nabound.<\/p>\n
\"The price of agate varies from several thousand rupiah to
\nseveral hundred thousand rupiah, depending on the grade,\" says
\nSutini, 47, who sells agate products at Teleng Ria beach. All the
\nagate available in the local market is locally crafted although
\nraw materials for high-grade agate products may be obtained
\nelsewhere, she says.<\/p>\n
You can buy the agate with or without a setting.<\/p>\n
If you have time, visit craftsmen at work in Donorojo
\nsubdistrict. There are about 400 artists in the villages of
\nGendaran, Tangklok and Sukodono.<\/p>\n
The precious agate is made into rings, medallions, earrings,
\nbuttons, key holders and various souvenirs.<\/p>\n
The pieces are made from slabs of agate. The agate pieces are
\npolished and come in different colors: green, red, violet.<\/p>\n
Waridi, a craftsman, says the raw material is difficult to
\nfind. \"The best time to collect the raw material is during the
\nwet season.\"<\/p>\n
Why the wet season? The heavy rain exposes the agate from the
\nsoil. In the dry season, this natural process does not happen.<\/p>\n
For small-scale craftsmen like Waridi, the dry season is a
\ndifficult time because the agate is more difficult to find.<\/p>\n
Each day, an agate artist can make up to six pieces of low-
\ngrade agate and two high-grade ones.<\/p>\n
The low-grade stone is priced at just Rp 5,000 for each
\npackage of 20 pieces.<\/p>\n
Local craftsmen claim that the quality of locally crafted
\nagate is superior to that in other regions.<\/p>\n
\"Everybody here wants Pacitan to be known as a main producer
\nof agate,\" Waridi says.<\/p>\n
Pacitan agate is distinctive in the unusual images within each
\npiece. High-grade pieces are much more sought after, although
\nthey cost a lot more than the lower grade pieces.<\/p>\n
Local craftsmen may go to other regencies like Wonogiri,
\nTrenggalek and Ponorogo for high-grade agate.<\/p>\n
To make agate jewelry and souvenirs steel is brought in from
\nJepara, Central Java, and silver, for high-grade stones, are
\nbrought in from Kotagede, Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The Pacitan administration is also serious about developing
\nits agate industry. To develop the industry, it has founded
\nUbibab, which promotes mechanical production methods.<\/p>\n
The products made using modern technology are marketed not
\nonly in Pacitan, but also in other cities, like Jakarta,
\nYogyakarta, Surakarta and Surabaya.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pacitans-agate-long-lasting-souvenir-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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