Monica Gichuhi is a “rock star”.

Why?

Because she saw the challenges that artisanal and small scale miners face in East Africa and tackled them. This touches aspects including legal protections of artisanal mining, conflict, human rights, and gemstone education via PACT and GIA’s illustrated book “Selecting Gem Rough: A Guide for Artisanal Miners” to enable more equitable pay in the supply chain - for both men and women.Sit on our our videos conversation!

What do artisanal mining communities look like and how are they different from industrial scale mining?

As Adrianne Sanogo and I introduce this topic, we present the landscape as we understand so far.

Oh, the spell of Spinel! For centuries spinel was mistaken as ruby or sapphire, which is why it bears the name “the great imposter”. Together, with Roger Dery, we outlined things to know and questions to ask about spinel!

What does eco, ethical, and sustainable really mean for jewelry?

It can be very confusing and it is important to distinguish claims from facts.

Thoughtful designers definitely do their best in responsibly sourcing "jewelry ingredients" that are traceable in a way that supports people, their skills, and the natural environment - be it land or sea.

Together, Adrianne Sanogo, GIA Graduate Gemologist and All The Brilliants explore these topics and things to consider to make an informed choice that reflects your values.