Ethically Sourced Emeralds From Africa Rival Colombia’s Best Material

Introduction:

In this exclusive interview, Guy Clutterbuck, one of the foremost experts in emerald rough in the world, discusses his latest discovery of emerald mines in a central African nation.

Clutterbuck’s deep contacts with native people in remote areas have allowed him to gain access to areas from the mountains of Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan, to the far reaches of the African bush. His work depends upon trusting his life to the small scale artisan miners who he supports with his unique approach to the gem trade on the ground: fairness and integrity.

His latest discovery is already causing excitement among some gemologists. The chemical composition of his emerald material from Africa matches that of some of best from Colombia. Those who are concerned about ethical sourcing are reluctant to source from Colombia because the emerald trade is rumored to be associated with organized crime.

MC: Where are you sourcing the emeralds?

GC: These are from central Africa. As yet, the exact location cannot be revealed at this juncture, for obvious reasons.

MC: Why can’t you reveal the country of the mine?

GC: The quality of the material is very similar to top quality Colombian and in consequence, what exists as a small scale artisanal mining operation would be swamped with the influx of miners from surrounding areas of the countries with all the attendant problems and dangers that would occur. In other words, the excellence of the material would start a
“gold rush” not dissimilar to the problems that are now faced by the locals at the new Paraiba Mine, in Mozambique. Also, you would have big mining corporations bribing the local politicians.

MC: How do you know that the emeralds from this place are comparable to top Colombian material?

GC: They were analyzed by a leading Swiss laboratory and found to contain almost identical chemical composition to fine Colombian Material.

MC: Is this the first time that such material has been found outside of Colombia? This is very important find for the entire gemstone community.

GC: Correct—the leading laboratory in the US is very excited about this.

MC: How did you make your discovery of this location initially?

GC: By constantly listening to what my long standing contacts in the African gem community have to report. They showed me sample pieces weighing a total of seven grams, and the brilliance and amazing vibrant green color convinced me that this deposit was worth pursuing.

MC: The location was remote and off the beaten trail, I take it?

GC: Yes, it is at least an eight hour drive through the most arduous bush conditions from the nearest tarmac road. Malaria, which I have caught three times, and lack of mobile phone coverage, discourages all but the most foolhardy or determined. Make your own judgment!

MC: What are the conditions at the actual mine?

GC: The deposits are located about 40 meters under ground. The mine looks like two extremely deep Olympic sized swimming pools. Basically, they have one caterpillar which is frequently inoperable due to lack of parts and the difficulty getting fuel to it.

Nonetheless, the African mine owner employs about fifteen members of his tribe to do the lion’s share of the work by hand. As soon as they produce something, they call me from the nearest town. I fly out and purchase it at above the going rate to discourage them from feeding the material in the local gem market, which would have obvious implications in terms of secrecy.

I also provide the initial funds to lease the caterpillar and pay for the basic equipment and food.

MC: Why did the Africans want to even trust you?

GC: The simple answer to that is that my African contacts have known me and trusted me for nearly twenty years. So I came well introduced to this small group of miners.

MC: What effect does your commerce have on the village?

GC: The community is about 80 people. It means that they can buy medicines and food stuffs that would otherwise be denied them. HIV is a big problem in this part of the world.

What I feel strongly about is that I’m running a business here so that I’m putting money directly into the local’s hands. The best way to support local communities is to support their initiatives to utilize their resources responsibly and their indigenous skills. In my view, it is much more empowering than handouts from AID organizations.

MC: Once you get the material, you cut it outside of the country?

GC: I pay all the local export fees and bring it to Sri Lanka to have it cut. The cutting factory is in Sri Lanka, where I source my sapphires. For those who are concerned about the conditions of the craftsmen in that factory, I can personally reassure them that they are “well paid” compared to the local competition. Also, they work in a clean, light and uplifting working environment.

---