Gemstones

Responsibly sourcing stones presents very different challenges to metal sourcing. Makers who are committed to ethical sourcing will need to find suppliers who are able to answer questions about the origins of their stones, and the conditions under which they were mined and cut. In more recent years synthetic and antique gemstones have emerged as an alternative to natural gemstones.

We’ve explained some of the key issues here around stone sourcing and how to source gemstones responsibly.

 
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Image by Gemstones Brazil

Supply Chain

 

Stone supply chains, like most supply chains, are inaptly referred to as a chain. A supply web would more correctly illustrate the reality of how stones move around the globe. Stones are mined all over the world from countries with different political climates, workers’ rights, and trade laws. The nature of the stone trade and the fact that many stones are extremely old, make them difficult to trace back to the mine of origin. Furthermore, stones are often mined in one country and cut and polished in another, which may have different working standards.

 
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Image by Capricorn Gems

Industry Response

There are a few systems in place to track stones to their source. However, there are no formal third-party accreditation systems in place for stones like there are for metals with Fairmined or Fairtrade to back up claims made by suppliers. This means that purchasing responsibly sourced gemstones requires developing an open dialogue with gemstone suppliers. 

Visit our Supplier Directory on more information on responsibly sourced stones.

 
 

Mixed Sapphires from Capricorn Gems
Semi-Precious Stones from Perpetuum Jewels
Pink Tourmaline from Lisa Elser