Beautiful Gems Produced Without Silicosis
Often we are asked whether there are really health and safety issues, like silicosis, in the gemstone production supply chain. Unfortunately there are. Take a look at the information available from the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights. There are a number of articles about Silicosis, but beware, it's not nice reading.
The good news is, you can help. All of these beautiful gemstones can be produced in a responsible and safe manner so that everyone is protected and truly benefits from nature’s wonders!
Columbia Gem House has done a lot of work in this area, but there are others, like Jagdish Patel at the Peoples Training and Research Centre in Gujarat, India, who are doing heroic work on behalf of gem cutters. You, as the final customer, can be an important part of the solution by demanding that the gemstones you purchase are faceted in a safe manner. Make sure your favorite jeweler knows that you only want gemstones that have been responsibly sourced and cut in a factory that safeguards the health and safety of its cutters.
Every single gemstone produced by the Columbia Gem House cutting workshop is faceted in a safe and responsible manner, so there are plenty to choose from.
You, the customer, can create change. You are in control, all you have to do is ask.
