The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
This Virtual Market Is Connecting Artisanal Miners with Buyers
Started in response to the pandemic, Virtu Gem sells rough from miners in Zambia and Malawi.

This included the inaugural Africa Gem Exhibition and Conference, which would have provided a place for, among other things, connecting miners, dealers and jewelers.
It was initially planned for July in Zambia, and while organizers first thought they might be able to push it to October, they ended up having to postpone it until 2021.
Cancelling the event took yet another selling opportunity from the continent’s artisanal and small-scale miners, but in recent interviews and research for an upcoming story, I became aware of a new virtual marketplace launched during the crisis to help them.
Realizing the immediate need for a marketplace for Zambian miners without access to international buyers during the pandemic, AGEC founder Monica Gichuhi partnered with The Responsible Jewelry Transformative, the Federation of Small Scale Mining Associations of Zambia, The Association of Zambian Women in Mining and The Nomad Jeweler on a digital project called Virtu Gem.
It aims to help ASM miners sell their rough gemstones as well as raise money to give back to the mining communities.
Through it, buyers are purchasing gemstones directly from the federation, which sources stones from its vetted miner members. The group behind the marketplace also has local cutter partners so buyers can choose to get their gemstones cut in country.
Twenty percent of the proceeds from stones sold on Virtu Gem go back to mining communities for food drives and purchasing protective gear.
To get it off the ground, organizers reached out to jewelers they knew would be interested in buying through such a project.
They also got the word out through webinars and conference networks, as well as creating an Instagram account, @virtu_gem.
But from the start, interested buyers have been reaching out directly to organizers, with the platform’s founders facilitating communication and buying.
There’s a lot of outreach on all sides, the Responsible Jewelry Transformative’s Susan Wheeler explained in a recent interview.
On the Zambian side, the federation first and, now, the mining association gathers stones, images and information.
On the buyer end, there’s a lot of interaction among designers—many of whom haven’t purchased rough before—and miners and cutter—for those who opt to cut in country—about the kind of stone and design they’re seeking.
Additionally, all stones sold via Virtu Gem are logged into Gübelin’s Provenance Proof blockchain.
The program is drawing buyers who want to customize their jewelry as well as those looking for a purpose-driven purchase, according to Wheeler.
This has led to a wide variety of buyers participating, from emerging designers—including one who is building her first collection around the stones—to well-established brands.
Over $6,000 in gemstones have been sold via Virtu Gem so far, and proceeds from the platform have facilitated two food drives.
Gichuhi said the marketplace has received some criticism from gemstone dealers who note they can’t buy rough they haven’t seen in person and been able to value for themselves.
“But,” she noted, “instead of doubting each other, we are hoping we can form partner collaborations that can eliminate doubt and create trust in the supply chain to really reinforce this way of doing business.”

“If it’s going to take more than one year for people to travel and do business, this might be how they will get back to trade.”
The program was piloted in Zambia but has just added miners from Malawi, partnering with the Gemstone Association of Malawi and the Malawi Women in Mining Association and adding some faceted stones to the mix with them, like the rhodolite garnet pictured at left.
There are now 12 miners included in the program, half of whom are women.
There also is a cutting partner in Malawi.
Ultimately, organizers are hoping this proves to be a long-term program, extending past the pandemic to provide revenue to miners on an ongoing basis.
For more information, visit VirtuGem.com.
The Latest

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.


The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.