click here to see

TAIRUS in pictures

In the cold winter of 1972, behind the iron curtain, inside super secret government laboratories, deep in Siberia, a group of young scientists were working on a classified project to perfect laser technology for the Soviet war machine. The objective – to grow a flawless emerald crystal in a controlled environment. This type of crystal would serve as a perfect conductor for a guided laser beam. All their research is done in complete secrecy and all the results are immediately transferred to Moscow for evaluation. In two years they were ordered to stop, not to ever hear again from the authorities who ordered these experiments.  Not until seventeen years later they were allowed to proceed. The team, lead by late scientist, developer of the hydrothermal process, Alexander Lebedev, whose name was kept secret by the Soviet regime for many years, restarted their research, this time in a different direction. Their objective was to supply emeralds, rubies, sapphires, alexandrites and other gems to the jewelry industry. The driving force was now the President of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Nikolai Dobretsov, whose wisdom and vision of the coming changes have prompted the action and  Joint Venture Tairus has been formed with Tairus (Thailand) Company Ltd., of Bangkok, to manufacture and distribute the gems. In the years to come, Tairus has achieved many scientific breakthroughs, that are still unmatched. For example, the development of the hydrothermally grown corundum, aquamarine and  the development of a revolutionary process of horizontal crystallization for growing of Corundum (Ruby) and Chrysoberyl (Alexandrite) by a team, lead by Vladimir Gurov.

In the last few years the business of “Created” Gems has changed dramatically. Prices have plummeted ten-fold, suppliers came and went, customer base grew by unprecedented numbers and Tairus struggled to meet the ever increasing demand by expanding its production capabilities by a staggering 1000%! Today, Tairus is the largest supplier of hydrothermally grown gems to the jewelry industry. Its immense scientific knowledge and continued research contributed to the Tairus’ market supremacy and financial success. Tairus’ leadership  have not changed its basic structure from the first days of the formation of the Joint Venture. It is still run by the same people, with the same core of scientists who started it in 1989. The emphasis on customer satisfaction and ability to adopt to the ever-changing market conditions, led Tairus to the foreground of the industry. Its solid base of distributors has also contributed to the success. The main distribution hub, Tairus’ partner, Tairus (Thailand) Co., Ltd. of Bangkok, is the main link in the chain. Sorting, cutting and quality checks are done and world-wide orders are shipped out from Bangkok.

Now, Tairus’ scientists are busy working on new developments and improvements of existing techniques in order to be a step ahead of market’s demands.

By: Walter Barshai, Chairman of the Board of J/V Tairus

Special Publication