Ethically Mined Gemstones

[Tsavomn]

Hi all. I just finished reading a post where this subject was talked about. And elsewhere browsing around on the web. IMHO i say there's a very good chance regulations will end up being passed. And that includes for all gemstones. And if your gemstone does not have a certificate that proves it was ethically mined. It's not going to be worth much. Very few people are going to want them. That would be very very bad news for a heck of alot of people. Including myself.

I am a newbie here. And gemstones that i like are Mahenge Spinels, Garnets, Mahenge Garnets too, and Tourmalines. I have a Mahenge Spinel, and a Merelani Garnet already on the way. Unless i am wrong. And this is just my guess. Except for maybe a few gemstone dealers. The rest do not have any such certificate.

I did read that Australia is a safe place to buy from. If that's really true. I don't see how that's possible. Unless they have a certificate that proves ALL the gemstones they sell are ethically mined. And to my knowledge. None do.

Again, i am a newbie. And do not have the knowledge that most of you have here. But i have to admit. This is got me very concerned about buying anything else.

 

[arkieb1]

Australia is a first world country and we don't pay low wages, don't have drug lords controlling mining or any internal wars going on here. So why would you need a certificate stating something like an O'Brien's creek topaz is ethically mined or even a sapphire from Inverell is ethically mined? In a lot of cases I can think of, the certificates cost more than the stones are worth... so I don't really understand what you are trying to argue at all....

The only main stones from here that come with certificates that make them worth more money are Argyle diamonds which btw are "ethically" mined anyway....

 

[Tsavomn]

Sorry arkieb1. I did not mean to offend. Our argue. That was not my intention. I should of explained myself better before. My main concern is. And am not saying this is going to happen. From what i have read browsing around. IMHO i believe that eventually regulations, not sanctions, will be passed. That will require a certain certificate proving gemstones you own, wherever you bought them from, were ethically mined. And if that happens. What happens to all of us. Who have our stones now. That were bought without a certificate?

With this in mind. I would like to kind of protect myself if regulations eventually are passed. I like to ask. Are there gemstone dealers out there right now. That already have such a certificate, or some other kind of written proof? To my limited knowledge as a newbie here. Unless i am wrong. I think there's only a few that do. Most do not. But i forgot their names. Thanks.

 

[arkieb1]

I wasn't offended or arguing, simply pointing out Australia doesn't have a conflict of any type so you can buy stones "ethically" mined from our country.

The next point is that while perhaps one day the big three - sapphires, rubies and emeralds may indeed need some sort of certificates to prove they were ethically sourced I can't see all of the little minor gemstones needing them and it would be virtually impossibly to do this anyway. If you already own stones that do require certificates in the future they would probably simply be classed as pre-whatever system someone thinks of. Like Burmese rubies that are antiques in the US were consider "pre-embargo" before the sanctions that prevented the importation of them were recently lifted in the US.

I think you are worrying without it being an issue.

 

[Tsavomn]

I wasn't offended or arguing, simply pointing out Australia doesn't have a conflict of any type so you can buy stones "ethically" mined from our country.

The next point is that while perhaps one day the big three - sapphires, rubies and emeralds may indeed need some sort of certificates to prove they were ethically sourced I can't see all of the little minor gemstones needing them and it would be virtually impossibly to do this anyway. If you already own stones that do require certificates in the future they would probably simply be classed as pre-whatever system someone thinks of. Like Burmese rubies that are antiques in the US were consider "pre-embargo" before the sanctions that prevented the importation of them were recently lifted in the US.

I think you are worrying without it being an issue.

Thanks arkieb1. Appreciate the info. I understand. And your right too. About me worrying without it being an issue. I better put a stop to that!

Oh, by the way. I am interested in some stones King Stone Gems has. Should be hearing from Doug soon. Never bought from him. Sure looks like his stones are top notch. With superb precision cutting too. Which is a must to me. Thanks again for your help and info.

 

[cm366]

Agreed with arkieb1's comments (Australian gems can be assumed to be ethical in the same sense as US-made products) and would point out that imposing such a certification system without grandfathering existing stones would certainly fail as it would make all existing gems unsalable. No-one in the trade will abide by a certification system that renders them bankrupt.

 

[Tsavomn]

Thanks cm366 too. Grandfathering them makes perfect sense. Very good point. This is a great forum! Glad i came across it.