Gemstone Origins: Series I: Introduction
Article by Sumeet Chordia, G.G.
A remote valley in Colombia. Photo by Reiseuhu
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 form and 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.
Before we go further, it is important to understand the impact and significance of a gemstone origin. As an example, a ruby from one country can be sold for hundreds of dollars-per-carat and a ruby from another country can be sold for thousands to millions of dollars-per-carat. This raises significant responsibility 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 we hope our educational series sheds light on this topic and helps address common 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.
Now, let’s time travel and visit the 1950s, where a young and passionate researcher, in Lucerne, Switzerland, first introduced and established the scientific study of gemstone geographic origin.
Lucerne, Switzerland. Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel