Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
GradingFeb 19, 2019
Greenland Ruby Finalizes Traceability Program
The miner also has rolled out color range sample sets of its Greenlandic gems.
Greenland Ruby has launched a mine-to-market traceability program in which each gem that comes from Aappaluttoq is assigned a number and comes with a certificate of origin.
Tucson, Ariz.—Greenland Ruby, the company currently mining ruby and pink sapphire on the ice-covered island, has rolled out a mine-to-market traceability program for its gems.
Launched in Tucson amid the annual gem shows, the program has been endorsed by the government of Greenland and is made possible through the miner’s customized inventory system with Carats.Online.
Each parcel of the company’s rough is given a number, and all gems produced from that parcel are assigned their own individual number linked to the parent parcel. These numbers stay with each gem throughout heat treatment, cutting and setting.
At the end, each stone has its own unique number that helps identify it with its description (color, weight, dimensions) and a certificate of origin is produced.
Greenland Ruby Vice President of Sales and Marketing Hayley Henning told National Jeweler that all material is accounted for by parcel weight starting the moment it’s moved from the mine, through processing, sorting, export and onward. This happens as part of the miner’s inventory control system and is monitored closely by the company as well as by Greenland’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
When a consumer purchases a piece set with Greenlandic gems, she or he is given the certificate to prove provenance.
“Though Greenland Ruby’s jewelry clients to date have only requested certificates on gems over 1 carat for their customers, Greenland Ruby has the ability to produce a tracking number for every stone, if a brand wished to do so,” Henning said.
“The gems do not need individual markings, since a variety of gemological laboratories around the world, including the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, the Gemological Institute of America, the Gübelin Gem Lab and Lotus Gemology, have examined our material and determined that Greenlandic corundum is readily identifiable as originating on the island.”
Launched in Tucson amid the annual gem shows, the program has been endorsed by the government of Greenland and is made possible through the miner’s customized inventory system with Carats.Online.
Each parcel of the company’s rough is given a number, and all gems produced from that parcel are assigned their own individual number linked to the parent parcel. These numbers stay with each gem throughout heat treatment, cutting and setting.
At the end, each stone has its own unique number that helps identify it with its description (color, weight, dimensions) and a certificate of origin is produced.
Greenland Ruby Vice President of Sales and Marketing Hayley Henning told National Jeweler that all material is accounted for by parcel weight starting the moment it’s moved from the mine, through processing, sorting, export and onward. This happens as part of the miner’s inventory control system and is monitored closely by the company as well as by Greenland’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
When a consumer purchases a piece set with Greenlandic gems, she or he is given the certificate to prove provenance.
“Though Greenland Ruby’s jewelry clients to date have only requested certificates on gems over 1 carat for their customers, Greenland Ruby has the ability to produce a tracking number for every stone, if a brand wished to do so,” Henning said.
“The gems do not need individual markings, since a variety of gemological laboratories around the world, including the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, the Gemological Institute of America, the Gübelin Gem Lab and Lotus Gemology, have examined our material and determined that Greenlandic corundum is readily identifiable as originating on the island.”
Greenland Ruby has sorted its material into quality levels to create color spectrums that allow customers to order material consistently. Pictured here are the color levels identified within the Transparent and Translucent quality levels.
Also in Tucson, the company displayed its final color range sample sets of gems. These color spectrums will be used for customers who would like to select material consistently, Henning said, allowing them to refer to the color spectrum and order according to needs.
Greenland Ruby offers transparent, translucent and opaque cabochon stones that weigh up to 50 carats, easily calibrated for jewelry collections.
The miner said cabochons are often the preferred method of shaping the gems because of the nature of the material, but the company also offers faceted stones, ranging from melee sizes up to more than 1 carat.
Greenland Ruby has sorted its calibrated cabochon material into three different quality levels: transparent, translucent and opaque, Henning said. Within these three categories, various color levels have been identified.
There are six colors in the Transparent and Translucent categories: T1 to T6, with T1 starting at a deep red and moving through to hot pinks, light and icy pinks, and whites. Within the opaque spectrum, there are nine categories: O1 to O9.
Henning said the company is also finding some blue, purple and gray material in this category, which, she added, is highly unusual for a ruby mine.
RELATED CONTENT: The First Full Collection Using Greenland Gems Is Coming
Greenland Ruby representatives said in 2019, they plan to expand in the American market.
“Our team plans wider introduction of our beautiful products in the U.S. this year, after successful debuts in Europe, and among select luxury designers,” Greenland Ruby CEO Magnus Kibsgaard said. “We’ve noted the exploding interest in responsibly sourced products in America, and we feel our gems are perfectly positioned to take advantage of that trend. The modern consumer is demanding fair manufactured goods with a story of doing well by doing good.”
The miner’s Pink Polar Bear Foundation also will continue its work this year to support international polar research in all disciplines, especially protecting the inhabitants—human and animal—of Greenland affected by climate change and accompanying cultural changes.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Grading
The Latest
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
