Provenance Proof’s Partnership with Haelixa to Track Emerald Origins
While gem labs can often determine a gemstone’s country of origin based on geological traits, they can’t pinpoint specific mines. Since 2017, Haelixa and the Gübelin Gem Lab have partnered to trace emeralds from mine to market.
About Provenance Proof
Provenance Proof is an innovative company that enhances transparency and authenticity in the gemstone and jewellery industry. Using cutting-edge technologies, including blockchain and physical tracers, it enables businesses and consumers to trace gemstones from their origin to the finished product. The company, an independent subsidiary of the Gübelin Gem Lab since 2020, aims to revolutionise the industry with reliable, technology-based traceability, fostering trust and confidence in the gemstones being bought and sold.
The Challenge
- Illicit sourcing: Untraceable gemstones may come from illegal or unethical sources, posing legal and reputational risks.
- Geological complexity: Gemstones from different mines can share similar geological characteristics, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact source.
- Mixing of stones: Gemstones from different mines may be mixed during transportation or processing, complicating traceability efforts.
The Solution
Haelixa provides Provenance Proof with a unique DNA formulation to mark emeralds at the source, allowing traceability through every stage of the supply chain. This technology uses DNA-based nanoparticles applied to rough emeralds at the mine. The markers can be retrieved and decoded at any point, ensuring the brand can track the emerald’s origin back to its mine.
The Results
This process supports transparency and trust, allowing:
- Mining companies and cooperatives: Achieve a forensic level of transparency.
- Industry organisations & NGOs: Facilities and check the industry’s implementation of policies and standards.
- Governments: Promote and monitor their domestic production.
- Jewellery brands: Show consumers their commitment to manufacturing transparent products.
- Retailers: Have a way of telling a verifiable and more complete story of the jewellery they sell.
- End consumers: Fully trust the claims made by jewellery brands and verify the source of emeralds, with data stored on a blockchain.
In conclusion, by combining Haelixa’s innovative marking solution with Provenance Proof’s independent verification and blockchain-backed transparency, the industry has a reliable method to verify the provenance of gemstones from mine to market.
