Article by Sumeet Chordia, G.G.

If you have seen a description or a gemological report of a color gemstone, such as an Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Alexandrite, etc. which states the name of a country then you have come across an important and highly valuable piece of information — that of gemstone origin. This is not to be confused with an origin for an article of jewelry, such as “Made In …” which is often stamped with the name of the manufacturing country or its distinct hallmarks.

In this first education series, we share basic information about the history, scientific methods, famous origins, risks, and value associated with the geographic origins of gemstones so you can gain a better understanding of the subject and make an informed decision about the purchase of an important gemstone or jewelry piece.

A gemstone’s geographic origin is the country, state, or region, from where the stone is believed to have been unearthed. It does not mean the location where it was cut, polished, traded, or set in a piece of jewelry.

It’s worth noting that the geographic origin of gemstones directly impacts its value. Whether it should is a healthy discussion and one that has been going on in the industry for decades. However, for the scope of this series, we will adhere to current market trends and demands.

Before we go further it is important to understand the impact and significance of gemstone origin. As an example, a ruby from one country can be sold for hundreds of dollars-per-carat and another ruby from a different country can be sold for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars-per-carat. This raises significant responsibilities throughout the supply and value chain, especially before it reaches the hand of the end customers who rely on absolute trust from their jeweler.

While the variation in price may come as a surprise to many we hope our educational series sheds valuable information on this topic and helps address any questions or concerns. Our goal is to build an educated community so your experience with a gemstone or jewelry purchase is thoughtful, positive, and with minimal risk.

In order to move forward, we must take a step back and dive into history and visit the 1950s in the serene town of Lucerne, Switzerland where the idea and scientific study of geographic gemstone origin was introduced and established.

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