Gemfields continues industry transparency with charitable collaboration

Colored-gemstone maker Gemfields is showing its support for World Aids Day with the launch of a limited-edition bracelet.

Shared on social media, Gemfields’ 1GD beaded bracelet is made of fairly-mined amethyst beads. Proceeds from the bracelet go towards benefitting the Abataka Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides economic and educational opportunities for women and girls in Africa and around the world.

Good deeds
The Abataka Foundation raises funds through the sale of its 100 Good Deeds beaded bracelets made by women, many of whom are HIV+, in Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Rwanda and Haiti. Each handmade bracelet contains a hundred beads, hence its name, and is priced at $30.

To lend additional support to the 100 Good Deeds cause, Gemfields worked with activist-designer Mary Fisher, who created the bracelet collection, on the “Beloved” limited-edition piece. The bracelets include 100 responsibly sourced amethyst from Zambia and continue Gemfields' work of making the mining industry more transparent.

Gemfields' 100 Good Deeds bracelet

The limited-edition Beloved bracelet can be purchased for $475 from a dedicated Gemfields page on 100 Good Deeds' Web site.

Gemfields has been dedicated to the transparency of the gemstone market in other ways as well.

For example, Gemfields set its sights on the third of the “big three” precious stones with the addition of Sri Lankan sapphires.

Described as a “red, blue and green traffic light of colored gemstones,” Gemfields currently offers private consumers and jewelers rubies and emeralds from Zambia and Mozambique. Given Gemfields’ ethical practices, its presence in Sri Lanka will likely benefit the local communities and economy (see story).