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The Swiss gemological laboratory 'Gübelin', in collaboration with 'Everledger', has created two platforms ('Provenance Proof' and 'Emerald Paternity Test') based on Blockchain technology to document the traceability of gems. Those associated with 'Provenance Proof' can offer their gems for sale. We must remember that given the nature of the Blockchain, each user is responsible for inserting their data, without there being any central administrator to verify or perform quality control. If any of this data is wrong (due to mistake or falsification) it is very difficult to edit it, because the entire chain would have to be broken and all users would have to be consulted and they would agree to make a change. This is why I have my reservations, not about the technology, but about the veracity of the information received. I also have my reservations regarding the use of this information, because we could fall into the trap of using Blockchain as a marketing tool.
The important thing is the veracity of the gem traceability data. Let's not forget that registering the traceability of a gem using this system has an added cost (cost per stone, subscription cost to the website where the gem is advertised, etc.) and for most gems, this cost is higher than the gem's own. I think that this technology is more suitable for high-value gems, because the cost of the Blockchain could C Level Contact List be better absorbed or it would simply increase the cost of the gem a little. I think that traceability can be communicated both verbally and in writing without having to resort to expensive technologies, and this is always possible when we talk about responsible mining with traceability, because the supply chain is short and it is relatively easy for the seller. A gemstone company collects all the information and issues a certificate.
The veracity of this certificate will be linked to the honesty of the gem seller. Does a gemstone being sustainable make it more expensive? The processes of extracting, cutting and polishing a gem are the same for a responsibly mined gem and a gem whose extraction does not take sustainability into account. The difference is that an ethical gem is a fair trade product, which implies that miners and lapidaries are paid a fair price for their work. Furthermore, the 'Mine-to-Market' marketing model reduces the number of intermediaries (each of whom charges a commission). what is sustainable jewelry During the pandemic, Nineteen48 (UK) and AnzaGems (US) continued to purchase gems from Tanzanian women miners via 'video conferencing' (photo: 'Moyo Gems' Project) Traditionally, the gem trade is characterized by having many intermediaries.
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