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One of the most infamous ethical concerns in the gem trade is the sale of conflict gemstones, also known as blood diamonds. These are the gems found in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict against the government. Although diamonds are the most
notorious, other stones, such as rubies and
Blue sapphire
, have also been associated with the financing of conflicts in other parts of the world, such as Myanmar and some parts of Africa.
Gem mining is frequently practised in less developed nations where labor laws are not so strict or not enforced. The miners are on perilous terms and receive poor salaries, most of them being underage. Under artisanal and small-scale mining activities, miners are exposed to the dangers of tunnel collapse, toxic materials and prolonged working hours without protective equipment.
The problem of child labor is more common in such areas as Madagascar and the Indian parts, where children are used to dig through gravel and find stones, sacrificing their education and health.
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Gemstone mining may cause havoc to the ecosystems. The use of toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, deforestation and open-pit mining causes soil erosion, pollution of water and loss of biodiversity. In the lax-environment countries, mining firms
usually leave behind scarred landscapes and polluted water sources that ultimately become a burden to local people even after the mines have been cleared.
The gem supply chain is notoriously opaque. The stones proceed through various hands; miners, middlemen, traders and cutters, among others, before it finds its way to consumers. With such complexity, it is hard to find out the origin of a gem and be certain that it was ethically mined.
In the absence of strong monitoring mechanisms, consumers unwillingly buy gems that could be mined under exploitative or abusive conditions, or even worse, in an environmentally damaging way.
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1. Fair Trade and Responsible Mining Programs Many organisations have started to certify mines meeting the ethical labor and environmental standards. These initiatives are prevalent in the gold trade, but the same is being seen in the gemstone trade now as well. Certified gems assure miners of a good salary, safe working conditions and that the mining methods are environmentally friendly.
2. Digital Traceability and Blockchain Technology is increasingly being involved in enhancing transparency. Blockchain-based systems are under development to follow the gem mine to market that will allow consumers to get verifiable information about the origin and the path of a stone. Such an innovation should transform the industry and make ethical sourcing more available and reliable.
3. Demand and Consumer Awareness Ethical Consumerism is increasing. Consumers are starting to learn more about where their jewelry comes from and want ethically produced products. This change in customer purchasing patterns is forcing brands to engage in responsible sourcing practices and be more transparent on the subject of their supply chains.
Jewelers have gone out of their way to sell gems that have been sourced ethically as well as to provide information regarding how they were sourced. Nevertheless, the industry in general is yet to experience a lot.
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Ask Questions: When purchasing gemstones, ask about their source and how they were acquired ethically.
Select Certified Gems: Select gems that are certified by trusted bodies that would ensure ethical mining activities.
Buy Ethical Brand: Shop from jewellers that are committed to responsible sourcing and have disclosed their supply chain, like Navratan, the online gem bazaar.
Educate yourself: Educate yourself about the ethical aspects of the gem trade, and spread the word to others.
