Fair Trade Gems and Ethically Sourced Stones

Learn About Our Fair Trade Gem Options We have the finest collection of ethically sourced gems you will find anywhere online. We know where they come from and the conditions of the cutting factories. We bring these to market proud of how they provide great benefit to the small scale artisan mining communities from which they are sourced. Sri Lankan Sapphires, Exquisitely beautiful sapphires, ranging from medium to corn flower blue sapphires, brought to us directly from a Sri Lankan mining cooperative. Malawi Sapphires, Rich teal in color, these sapphires are brought to us by a pioneer in fair trade gemstone practices. Zambian Aquamarines, Sourced from two brothers who mine these by hand, these untreated Aquamarines provide support for a small community. Nyala Rubies, Rare and beautiful, these rubies, deep crimson in color, are from a company that is a leading voice in fair trade gemstone practices. Rubyfair Rubies, From Tanzania, these rubies are ethically mined in a village with great benefit to workers and the restoration of the environment. Tanzanian Womens Mining Association, These gems support the entrepreneurial efforts of women who support their families and villages through the sale of these gems. African Emeralds, From a village that remains secret, these African emeralds, ethically sourced by small scale miners, are of the same quality as some of Columbia’s finest. Mandarin Garnets, Deep, vibrant orange, entirely natural, Mandarin Garnets from a remote tribal area of Zambia Zultanite, A relatively new gem to find its way to market, Zultanite can vary it's color.

Basic Gemstone Facts

To find gemstones that are both exquisitely beautiful and have transparent, ethical sourcing is difficult. Gemstones are valued based on saturation, hue, depth of tone, cut and inclusions. To learn more, Read on...

Ethical Diamond Options

We offer several ethical diamond choices.

Overview of Ethical Gemstone Issues

In an ideal world, a fair trade gem would come from a third party certified, cooperative mining community. Beneficiation, including polishing and community development, would be based in and benefit local economies. This situation simply does not exist. To understand the best efforts to produce a fair trade gem, Read on...

How You Can Help

Ninety percent of gems come from small scale, artisan miners whose efforts support tens of millions of people around the world. As publishers of www.fairjewelry.org, we have launched international campaigns in support of indigenous rights, specifically in Greenland.