Tag

ethical-sourcing

5 articles

Ethics & Sourcing·June 7, 2026·9 min read

Small-Scale Gem Mining in Sri Lanka: Community Impact

Small-scale gem mining sustains entire villages in Sri Lanka through a profit-sharing model that splits the value of a found stone across landowner, financier, and digger. Here is its real community impact, told honestly.

Ethics & Sourcing·May 5, 2026·10 min read

Ethical Gemstone Certifications: Which Ones Matter?

Most ethical gemstone certifications were built for diamonds and large industrial mines, not Sri Lankan sapphires. Here is what each one actually covers, and what to ask a dealer when no scheme fits.

Ethics & Sourcing·May 3, 2026·10 min read

Why Sri Lankan Gem Cutters Are Still the Best in the World

Sri Lankan cutters work by eye, prioritise weight and colour over symmetry, and use slow hand-driven laps. Here is why their finished sapphires still beat any factory cut.

Ethics & Sourcing·March 14, 2026·9 min read

How Sri Lankan Gems Are Mined: Inside Ratnapura

Sri Lankan gems are mined by hand from shallow alluvial pits, washed in river water, and sorted by eye. Here is how the process works from the first dig to the dealer's table.

Ethics & Sourcing·February 28, 2026·8 min read

What 'Ethically Sourced' Means for Sri Lankan Sapphires

An ethically sourced Ceylon sapphire means a stone mined under Sri Lanka's regulated, small-scale model with full documentation. Here is what to verify and what is just marketing.

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