During the most coveted periods of jewelry, such as the Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, and Art Deco, the location of gemstones and treatments was conveyed by traders through word of mouth. The trader’s word was gold and trust was paramount. Although rudimentary and lack of scientific validation this is how the global trade of gemstones operated.

With time, things changed - new sources and treatments emerged and traders were no longer able to offer their word of gold. Most of the traders ignored the issue and continued to operate normally but this was a brewing problem that would one day disrupt the market and it did. Gemstones from new sources and with treatment began to flood the supply chain and disrupt the global industry. Traders did not have the skill to bifurcate or claim that their stone was not enhanced in any way and commanded the price they were asking.

In the 1950s, the stepping stones and foundation of determining the geographic origins of gemstones were established by Dr. Eduard (Edward) Josef Gübelin. A mineralogist and renowned scientific researcher Dr. Gübelin invented breakthrough technology and methods to establish the science of gemstone origin and treatments - both of which are important factors in determining the value of a gemstone.

Dr. Gübelin's persistence and desire to study the intricate inner world a gemstone opened a revolutionary field of study in gemology. He was not only fascinated by the beauty of inclusions inside a gem, but believed that by studying the "crystals, particles, bubbles, and other shapes and colors visible inside gemstones" (Gubelin, 2020) gemologists can reveal a gemstone's geographic origin and treatment. After all, the environment inside a gemstone is a snapshot of millions of years into our planet's history and if it was altered by man in any way there must be some evidence.

To expand his study and establish a scientific method of determining gemstone origin and treatment Dr. Gübelin traveled across the world and collected specimens. His journey allowed him to build an extensive database of various inclusions in gemstones that would assist in providing clues about geographic regions and treatments that were already in the market and in pieces of jewelry.

His foundational methods are strongly relevant today whether it’s determining a significant portion of the value in a vintage jewel or when miners discover a new source. Built upon Dr. Gübelin’s breakthrough discovery other renowned laboratories in the United States and Switzerland, such as the American Gemological Laboratory (AGL), SSEF, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) constantly conduct their own exploratory field and scientific research to grow their database and improve their methods for the determination of gemstone origin and enhancement.

These scientific methods and instruments are at the heart of the science for experienced gemologists to make an informed opinion and provide tremendous confidence and value to the end customer.

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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