MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
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.
More on Grading
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
