Ethical Gemstones: What are they and where to buy them (podcast episode)
Episode 3 of the Jewellers Academy podcast is all about ethical gemstones. I interview Stuart Pool, a specialist in responsibly-mined and fully-traceable coloured gemstones, mainly sourced directly from mines in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Join us for this fascinating and enlightening conversation about what ethical practice is when it comes to gemstones, how we as jewellers can be sure the gems we buy are ethically sourced and more.
003: ethical gemstones; what are they and where to find them
In this episode I am joined by Stuart Pool to talk about ethical gemstones. Stuart is the founder of Nineteen48, an ethical gemstone company. He is a passionate advocate for this work and gives his time to teaching jewellers how we can run more ethical businesses, what ethical means. He works specifically with coloured gemstones and the supply chain.
EPISODE RECAP
Introducing Stuart Pool (2:03)
Let’s talk about the process of how we get a gemstone (3:21)
How do we know what an ethical gemstone is? (7:58)
Ethical statement (12:25)
Every step is a step in the right direction (14:46)
How do we go about buying ethical gemstones? Is it possible to get less expensive stones? (16:43)
What kinds of gemstones do you sell? (21:33)
Consumers are asking for ethical jewellery even if it comes at a premium price (23:33)
Using our buying power to help the industry move more into ethical practices (26:44)
What are your values as a jeweller? How can you talk about this to your customers? (29:53)
Where can I find out more information? (33.12)
ABOUT STUART POOL
Stuart is a specialist in responsibly-mined and fully-traceable coloured gemstones, mainly sourced directly from mines in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. He runs gem trading companies Nineteen48 and Moyo Gems, as well as being a co-founder of Fair Luxury, a group focused on positive change in the jewellery industry.
Stuart works very closely with local mine owners to provide a “mine-to- market” service, from extracting the rough gem material and the cutting and polishing of gemstones, right up to the sale of gems to the end customer, both wholesale and retail.
Stuart’s companies support charitable projects in both Sri Lanka and the UK and he is also committed to educating the widest possible audience about the issues within the jewellery sector. He is supportive of many initiatives and programmes within the industry which are trying to improve conditions and benefits for those involved in all stages of the supply chains for diamonds, precious metals and coloured gems.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
https://www.facebook.com/Nineteen48
Thanks so much for listening.
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