PodcastsMay 20, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
SourcingFeb 13, 2019
Gübelin’s Blockchain for Gems Now Open to the Industry
The Swiss gem lab’s Provenance Proof technology debuted during AGTA GemFair.
Gübelin’s blockchain technology, piloted with Fura Gems’ Colombian emeralds, is now open for the entire industry to use.
Tucson, Ariz.—Gübelin’s blockchain for colored stones, developed in partnership with Everledger, is now available to the entire industry.
The Swiss gem lab launched its Provenance Proof Blockchain during AGTA GemFair, officially opening its use to the trade.
Now, any professional stakeholder along the supply chain can register and, after a standard “Know your Customer” check, start using it.
It’s been a little more than a year since Gübelin announced it was developing the program to trace colored gemstones from mine to market, which it calls the first of its kind in the world.
The project comes as part of the lab’s Provenance Proof initiative, a long-term program designed to develop and provide technologies to the gemstone industry to make it more transparent. It includes the lab’s “Emerald Paternity Test.”
Gübelin’s blockchain aims to track a stone as early in the supply chain as possible to build a record of each rough gemstone’s journey. The owner or custodian of the stone is then able to contribute certain information to the log book through to, and including, the end consumer.
Fura Gems was the mining pilot partner, offering goods at its Coscuez Colombian emerald mine as test subjects for the blockchain technology.
The Gübelin family shouldered the cost of developing the technology, which means it is free to use for anyone in the trade.
“The industry has been changing and consumers are now interested in transparency, and this was my main motivation … to support blockchain and this whole initiative because I think we need to change now,” Raphael Gübelin, president of the House of Gübelin, said in Tucson.
To help keep it inclusive, every process, including the registration and upload of the data, can be done on a smartphone.
Visibility is restricted to the user in custody of the gemstone, and only is allowed upstream—meaning the current users can see who had the gemstone before them but do not see where it goes once it leaves their possession—though Everledger CEO Leanne Kemp told National Jeweler during an interview after the launch event that it could be reversed to allow someone at the beginning of the chain to see subsequent actions should users give permission to do so.
Gübelin Gem Lab Managing Director Daniel Nyfeler also noted that the lab has no privileged insight into specific data of the blockchain; the lab itself can only see the information entered into the blockchain relating to the stones it is entrusted with testing.
WATCH: Gübelin Explains How the Blockchain Works
The Swiss gem lab launched its Provenance Proof Blockchain during AGTA GemFair, officially opening its use to the trade.
Now, any professional stakeholder along the supply chain can register and, after a standard “Know your Customer” check, start using it.
It’s been a little more than a year since Gübelin announced it was developing the program to trace colored gemstones from mine to market, which it calls the first of its kind in the world.
The project comes as part of the lab’s Provenance Proof initiative, a long-term program designed to develop and provide technologies to the gemstone industry to make it more transparent. It includes the lab’s “Emerald Paternity Test.”
Gübelin’s blockchain aims to track a stone as early in the supply chain as possible to build a record of each rough gemstone’s journey. The owner or custodian of the stone is then able to contribute certain information to the log book through to, and including, the end consumer.
Fura Gems was the mining pilot partner, offering goods at its Coscuez Colombian emerald mine as test subjects for the blockchain technology.
The Gübelin family shouldered the cost of developing the technology, which means it is free to use for anyone in the trade.
“The industry has been changing and consumers are now interested in transparency, and this was my main motivation … to support blockchain and this whole initiative because I think we need to change now,” Raphael Gübelin, president of the House of Gübelin, said in Tucson.
To help keep it inclusive, every process, including the registration and upload of the data, can be done on a smartphone.
Visibility is restricted to the user in custody of the gemstone, and only is allowed upstream—meaning the current users can see who had the gemstone before them but do not see where it goes once it leaves their possession—though Everledger CEO Leanne Kemp told National Jeweler during an interview after the launch event that it could be reversed to allow someone at the beginning of the chain to see subsequent actions should users give permission to do so.
Gübelin Gem Lab Managing Director Daniel Nyfeler also noted that the lab has no privileged insight into specific data of the blockchain; the lab itself can only see the information entered into the blockchain relating to the stones it is entrusted with testing.
WATCH: Gübelin Explains How the Blockchain Works
During the Tucson launch event, Nyfeler outlined some of the benefits the lab sees to the transparency that comes from blockchain. In addition to the social responsibility aspect of it, it could help reduce the risks that stops many banks and other institutions from financing the trade.
He said it also makes economic sense to embrace it; blockchain could offer greater visibility for companies along the supply chain and offer retailers the full information to build the story behind a stone.
Nyfeler, along with Kemp, Raphael Gübelin, Fura Gems Vice President Marketing and Sales Rupak Sen, and Pat Syvrud, minerals, materials and society program development manager at the University of Delaware, took part in a panel after presentations during the Tucson launch.
During the panel, Nyfeler addressed one of the biggest criticisms of blockchain—it does not have the ability to prevent a user from entering false data that then appears legitimate as it is locked into the blockchain.
“Blockchain is not the silver bullet that’s going to bring 100 percent trueness in the industry immediately, but … it’s going to be much easier to determine over time and see patterns, and you’re going to see where such wrong information might come from, which so far is not the case and that’s the point where we were starting from,” he said.
When an attendee also asked whether the small-scale miners would care about becoming a part of this, Nyfeler said it was up to the industry to encourage them to do so.
Looking to the future, he told National Jeweler that Provenance Proof, like De Beers’ Tracr, is a long-term venture that eventually will be spun off as its own company.
A supervisory board will be entrusted with making strategic decisions, such as data security and compliance issues, and will consist mostly of individuals independent of the gemstone industry “in order to minimize the risk of conflicting interests.”
And since certain segments of stakeholders will have specific needs related to the use of the blockchain, such as a large-scale miner or wholesaler wanting interfaces to allow for the automated upload or exchange of the company’s inventory system, Provenance Proof—not Gübelin Gem Lab—will oversee designing, building and implementing solutions to address these needs.
He said it also makes economic sense to embrace it; blockchain could offer greater visibility for companies along the supply chain and offer retailers the full information to build the story behind a stone.
Nyfeler, along with Kemp, Raphael Gübelin, Fura Gems Vice President Marketing and Sales Rupak Sen, and Pat Syvrud, minerals, materials and society program development manager at the University of Delaware, took part in a panel after presentations during the Tucson launch.
During the panel, Nyfeler addressed one of the biggest criticisms of blockchain—it does not have the ability to prevent a user from entering false data that then appears legitimate as it is locked into the blockchain.
“Blockchain is not the silver bullet that’s going to bring 100 percent trueness in the industry immediately, but … it’s going to be much easier to determine over time and see patterns, and you’re going to see where such wrong information might come from, which so far is not the case and that’s the point where we were starting from,” he said.
When an attendee also asked whether the small-scale miners would care about becoming a part of this, Nyfeler said it was up to the industry to encourage them to do so.
Looking to the future, he told National Jeweler that Provenance Proof, like De Beers’ Tracr, is a long-term venture that eventually will be spun off as its own company.
A supervisory board will be entrusted with making strategic decisions, such as data security and compliance issues, and will consist mostly of individuals independent of the gemstone industry “in order to minimize the risk of conflicting interests.”
And since certain segments of stakeholders will have specific needs related to the use of the blockchain, such as a large-scale miner or wholesaler wanting interfaces to allow for the automated upload or exchange of the company’s inventory system, Provenance Proof—not Gübelin Gem Lab—will oversee designing, building and implementing solutions to address these needs.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
