SourcingNov 12, 2020
ASM and the COVID-19 ImpactPolicies & IssuesAug 02, 2021
Gem Legacy Delivers Tools and Machines, COVID Relief in Africa
The team behind the nonprofit has been on the ground to support several initiatives this summer.
This summer, Gem Legacy delivered 68 miner tool kits—tailored to the needs of each miner—across Tanzania and Kenya, made possible through industry donations.
Royal Oak, Mich.—The team at industry nonprofit Gem Legacy is traveling again, spending time this summer on the ground to support several of their initiatives.
Gem Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to education, vocational training, and local economies in small, artisanal gemstone mining communities in Africa, launched in 2018.
The first stop for the team in East Africa this summer was the Gemology and Gem Faceting School in Arusha, Tanzania, where they gave graduation certificates to eight students whose gem-cutting education is being funded by a 2021 grant from the JCK Industry Fund.
They also welcomed seven new students who are beginning their studies.
While at the school, Gem Legacy also delivered two new faceting machines that it purchased with donated funds. Updating the school’s machines has been a project the nonprofit has been working on for a few years.
The Gem Legacy team also visited communities and schools in gemstone mining regions affected by the pandemic, which brought trade to a near standstill.
Related stories will be right here …
Gem Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to education, vocational training, and local economies in small, artisanal gemstone mining communities in Africa, launched in 2018.
The first stop for the team in East Africa this summer was the Gemology and Gem Faceting School in Arusha, Tanzania, where they gave graduation certificates to eight students whose gem-cutting education is being funded by a 2021 grant from the JCK Industry Fund.
They also welcomed seven new students who are beginning their studies.
While at the school, Gem Legacy also delivered two new faceting machines that it purchased with donated funds. Updating the school’s machines has been a project the nonprofit has been working on for a few years.
The Gem Legacy team also visited communities and schools in gemstone mining regions affected by the pandemic, which brought trade to a near standstill.
Amid a lack of government-sponsored lunches as schools closed during the crisis, Gem Legacy took on the responsibility of providing breakfast and lunch to 800 children attending the Kitarini Primary School, most of whom are the children of ruby miners.
“A $21 donation pays for a year of meals for each child,” said Rachel Dery, director of communication and outreach for Gem Legacy.
“We know that the breakfast and lunch program is key to keeping students in school in a place where there are many disincentives to attendance, such as the demands of family farms. The food also keeps the kids alert during class.”
Lastly, Gem Legacy delivered 68 miner tool kits across Tanzania and Kenya, made possible through industry donations.
Underwritten at a cost of $125 each, the kits are customized to the needs of specific miners based on the gem type and mining style.
They were created in partnership with local governments, which surveyed miners to make sure they understood which supplies would meet the greatest needs.
Among the kinds of supplies provided are: shovels, chisels, hammers, pickaxes, hand drills, blasting tools, helmets, head lights, gloves, and sieves.
“Tools are absolutely essential to small gem miners’ success,” Dery said.
“We know that over 90 percent of East African miners are, or were, farmers first. Once they found gems on their property, they began gem mining, but most of them simply use farming implements to mine, which are mostly ineffective. The Gem Legacy Miner Toolkit provides them with more efficient set-ups that will allow them to be more productive in their mining.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 24, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
