Journal

The Art of Sourcing Rough

There’s a particular tension that runs through the sapphire industry. In Madagascar, one of the world’s most important sapphire sources, around 90% of gems leave the country as rough or illegally e...

The Myth of Provenance: Why Gem Quality Matters More Than Origin

The earliest gemstone traders date back to Mesopotamia and Egypt around 3000 BCE. Civilizations that controlled gemstone mines wielded remarkable power. Back then, origin-based value made sense, as...

The Price of Perfection: Why Natural Gemstones Rekindle the Magic in a Synthetic World The Price of Perfection: Why Natural Gemstones Rekindle the Magic in a Synthetic World

While the debate over lab-grown diamonds versus natural diamonds has been extensively discussed, with valid arguments on both sides. I am not here to argue against lab-grown gems for the usual reas...

What is it like working with a large scale mine in Madagascar?

Visiting a large-scale mine in Madagascar is a stark contrast to the artisanal mining sites scattered across the country. While small-scale miners rely on traditional tools and manual labor, indust...

The Limits of a Sapphire’s Origin as a Price Indicator

Gems have fascinated people for centuries, admired for their beauty, rarity, and durability. But there’s a long-standing misconception in the industry that where a gem comes from should determine i...

Madagascar’s Sapphire Legacy: A Treasure Trove with Unfulfilled Potential

Madagascar holds a unique position in the global gemstone market, with multiple sizable sapphire deposits accounting for an estimated 40-60% of the world's sapphire supply. The island is a critical...

Bridging the Gaps for Economic Growth

Madagascar’s gemstone sector, particularly its sapphire industry, holds immense promise as a driver of economic growth and national development. According to the World Bank, industrial mining, if p...