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3.03.10

Some useful info on ethical jewellery click here

1.03.10

Does it matter if you choose a heated and treated ruby ? Well we think so , none of our stones are heated or treated , others agree , to read more about the loss of value of heated and treated rubies click here.

26.02.10

From top Ethical Jeweller Oria beautiful 18ct yellow gold Nina Stack rings with pink sapphires from Rubyfair.

Click images to enter their website.

24.02.10

We received a letter today from the Orphange we sponser near our mine.

Many thanks to all our customers who use our ethical Rubies and sapphires .

Click on letters to read them one in English the other Swahili

21.02.10

Slighty off the wall but a passionate lover of Rubies .

Click image to read more.

19.02.10

Bespoke at its best from Ingle & Rhodes with Rubyfair Rubies.

19.02.10

Stunning pieces using Rubies from Rubyfair.com from Tara Kirkpatrick please click images to go to her website.

17.02.10

Rubyfair.com now has over 70 bespoke Jewellers across the UK , America and Australia who are stocking and using our fair trade , ethical Rubies and Sapphires. When we get to a hundred we will issue a press release so please send photos of your work using our stones so we can include you in the release. Thanks for all your support.

12.02.10

For all those interested in gems a great site click to enter.

11.02.10

A classic ring in Black Onyx and 18ct Gold with a central Ruby from Rubyfair.com crafted by Julie Anne Palmer.

Click Ring to be taken to Julie's website.

8.02.10

Some top end facets just arrived along with Ruby and spinel cabs plus some fine sapphires .

All ethically mined and untreated as usual.

1.02.10

To celebrate valentines day we at Rubyfair.com are having a fantastic offer to all Jewellers . Buy one stone and you get the second stone ( the cheaper ) for half price.
This applies to all stones held on apro as well as new stones viewed and is limited to the first 5 stones per jeweller and must be invoiced by end of February ; unheated and untreated as always applies to all our Rubies and sapphires facets , cabochon and rough. All ethically mined.

29.01.10

January offer coming to end please see offers section for Rubbies and Sapphires. Also Jewellers please reveiew offer for 20 percent off for £500 spent and 30 percent off offer over £1000 on all stones ordered ( including those held on apro ) before end of January.

26.01.10

Bespoke jewellers have just 5 days to place orders for our January offer for Rubies and Sapphires ; ideal way to keep costs down for a fair trade and ethical Ruby and sapphire collection please contact us for details and ordering .

17.01.10

Hi an interesting site for all fans of Natural gem stones and jewelry has great articles and descriptions as well as links to suppliers. Not just Rubies and sapphires.

Click here One stop shop for Gemstone And Jewelry information.

14.01.10

Following a request from one of our Ethical bespoke Jewellers please find below a PDF of our original environmental

impact report at our mine. To read how we have implemented these recommendations and more please see here.

To read the report in PDF please click below.

UserFiles/RUBYFAIR_COM EPANKO MINE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY pdf.pdf

13.01.10

CIBJO to hold "Ruby Day," a gemmological mini conference on February 19, the first day of the 2010 CIBJO Congress

Click here for more info.

12.01.10

Three Rubyfair Rubies set in an 18ct Gold Ring by Christopher Evans Of Poynton , Cheshire

click image to be taken to his website.

4.01.10

Charlotte Cornelius has designed this ready to wear collection in sterling silver set with Rubyfair ethical

untreated rubies click here to go direct to her website .

Charlotte Cornelius

2.01.10

Happy New Year from Rubyfair.com
We have had a new shipment in over festive break so will be in touch to show you our new arrivals.
If you have any made up jewellery using Rubyfair.com Rubies and sapphires please send us pictures so we can show them on our website with a link to your store.

28.12.09

To help with collections and bespoke jewellery for the New Year Rubyfair.com is offering 20 per cent off all Ruby and Sapphire orders over £500 and 30 per cent off all Ruby and Sapphire orders of £1000 or more ( this also applies to all Ruby and Sapphire stones held on approval ). All ethically mined and untreated as normal. Tel : 07706 150 403 For individual purchases of less than £500 see the Ruby sale below . Take advantage of either offer for Valentines day.

22.12.09

Sale offer for the festive season and January sale time . Any stone purchased via website between 22nd December 2009 and January 31st 2010 receives a free facet worth 50% of ordered stone value. Just order as normal between this period and your extra stone will be included with your dispatched order . Includes all rubies and sapphires . Take advantage of this great rubyfair.com offer to get an early valentine gift made via one of our bespoke jewellers.

18.12.09

How green are your Ruby gem stones ?

With the vital meeting in Copenhagen taking place we thought we would look at Rubyfair.com to see how green we are.

Coming from a Zoological background and with a Tanzanian Co director even before mining began environmental impact was put at the front of the operation. A full independent environmental impact study was undertaken to read more about this please click here .

How we keep our rubies green.

1. Our rubies are mined and cut in Tanzania no flying them to China or India to add to their carbon footprint.

2. All flights are carbon offset using BA's carbon offset scheme. To find out more click here .

3. Area at ruby mine is replanted ( either with local plants or used by subsistence farmers who would other wise burn areas to clear land).

4. Uk Travel is 99 percent by train.

15.12.09

Fair trade articles by Marc Choyt which talks about Rubyfair.com and its ethical nature http://www.fairjewelry.org/archives/2628

For more indepth look at http://www.prweb.com/releases/ethical-jewelry/sourcing-ebooks/prweb3302004.htm

15.12.09

If you are feeling a little rough this Xmas you may like to see some of our latest shipment. Rough uncut Ruby and spinel !
All unheated and untreated natural , ethical ruby and spinel this can make really interesting jewellery. All orders go out guaranteed next day in Uk and by carrier and express airmail to the rest of the world with no extra charges so you can still be in time for Xmas !

Full range of cut Ruby and Sapphire also available.

11.12.09

We have just had an enquiry from an ethical jeweller in Australia who is going to begin using our ethical rubies and sapphires .

Please read below for a brief description of Melinda's company Ethical Jewellery Australia .

www.ethicaljewels.com.au

Melinda Nugent FGAA

melinda-nugent-gemmologist Melinda, a qualified gemmologist, is the founder and driving force behind Ethical Jewellery Australia (EJA) and The Promised Ring.

After several years of designing and selling her own range of jewellery, Melinda created EJA which Australia offered an environmentally- and socially-friendly product. In other words, consumers had the opportunity to purchase jewellery that is guaranteed to have caused minimal harm to the environment and its people.

It all began when Melinda learned of Oxfam’s ‘no dirty gold’ campaign. She signed the ‘no dirty gold’ pledge in early 2007 and Ethical Jewellery Australia was born.

Her resolve to provide an environmentally responsible alternative strengthened even further when, through her gemmology studies, she began to realise that the cost of mining and processing gemstones can be very high on workers and environment.

7.12.09

"Jewellery Focus Magazine" Click first page below to download article.

December 09 and the move towards Ethical Gems Focuses on RubyFair.com and its fair trade Rubies .

5.12.09

At Rubyfair.com we like to introduce our staff who bring untreated fair trade Rubies and sapphires to you.

Rashid who started as a forman at Rubyfair has shown a commitment to working mining ethical Rubies and has gained his blasting license while working for Rubyfair. He has been mining Rubies with us for the last 18 months.

27.11.09

The ruby has arrived, and it is beautiful. I love the wine-red colour and the natural look to it. Thank you so much for helping me, and for being so quick to respond to my concerns. I will certainly think of Ruby Fair if ever I need another gem. Take care,

Angie Scott , Canada.

21.11.09

Article on Our Birthday . One year on and we are still mining ethical fair trade rubies and sapphires thanks for all your support.

Benchpeg.com newsletter scroll down for article click here.

21.11.09

A question asked to Pete the other day was why we have our ethical rubies cut in Tanzania ? Why not send them to China or Thailand as many mining companies do ?

Well we have a cutter In Dar Es Salaam Tanzania who has been cutting stones since 1972 and we have equipped him with the latest machinery for cutting our ruby and sapphire this way we support the local economy , pay local taxes and pay the full export tax to the home country on exporting cut stones. ( Please see post 14.11.09 ) Exporting rough tends to attract lower taxes for the home country and deprives the home country of employment.

So why do some " Fair Trade " companies export their rough to China and Thailand to be cut ?

You would have to ask them :

Could it be the wages ?

Tax saving from home country ?

And how do they ensure nothing gets mixed with other sources such as Burma ?

There is " ethical and fair trade lip service" and then there is Rubyfair.com ; transparency is the key so please ask the questions.

20.11.09

Rubyfair.com now has a gem card cetificate for clients and jewellers which gives weight and description of your stone and outlines its ethical fair trade origin. This shows that the buyer has chosen an ethical Ruby and natural gemstone. Please contact us if you require a supply or top up.

14.11.09

After a year of cutting our ethical Rubies and Sapphires a big thank you to Mr Mwalongo. He has been a gem stone cutter since 1972 . All our ethical rubies are cut In Dar Es Salaam ensuring the tax revenue stays with the home country and the employment stays in the country. Fair trade rubies in action .

10.11.09

Back from Tanzania with a fine selection of Ruby and sapphire . Mining will slow down over xmas period as miners return home for holiday breaks and the short rain season arrives so any specific orders or requests should be placed now.

Yes it was hot in the sun and yes it is cold back here !

25.10.09

We have noted many sites claiming to offer Fair trade Rubies or ethical rubies . Please check the transparency of these claims.

is there photographic evidence ?

are the Ruby stones cut in country of origin returning revenue to host country ?

is there evidence of fair trade throughout the Ruby chain ?

22.10.09

Cred launch stunning collection with Rubyfair.com ethical Rubies.

Click images to be taken to there website.

19.10.09

Stunning large pair of pear cut Rubies . These are untreated and unheated Ruby with combined weight of over 10 carats. As you can see from photo true natural blood red. Yes they have inclusions and fractures but thats because they are 100 percent natural ruby. Imagine the price if they were flawless and natural !

These are ethical fair trade Ruby just check with your "ethical supplier" are the stones cut locally to help the economy or shipped to another country to save a few bucks with child labour ?

7.10.09

Just to wet your appetite some big stones which we have already had assed at Seamic which are due on next shipment.

6.10.09

Fair Trade Rubies From Tanzania By RubyFair Now Available In The North American Market
Posted on October 1st, 2009 by admin
Publisher’s Note:

Rubyfair, a mining project involving fair trade rubies from Tanzania has been operating for about a year now, supplying jewelers primarily in the UK. My company, Reflective Images, has just recently become the sales agent for US jewelers and consumers interested in these stones. Those interested in these rubies can contact me directly
~ Marc Choyt, Publisher CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

30.9.09

Columbia Gem House Attempts to Trade-Mark “Fair Trade Gems”
Situation Briefing
Columbia Gem House (CGH) of Vancouver, Washington, has nearly completed a process they began several years ago to trademark and monopolize the term, "Fair Trade Gems."   If CGH is successful, they will own that term in the marketplace. The notion that one company can file a lawsuit against anyone or any company who then uses the term “Fair Trade Gems” has massive negative ramifications for those pioneering fair trade jewelry products worldwide.
Fair Trade is rooted in a cooperative economic model that seeks to maximize benefit for producer communities. In the context of gems, it is essential to sustaining the artisannal small-scale mining (ASM) sector, which needs a vibrant fair trade market for gems to help alleviate poverty and safeguard the environment.
CGH is widely admired for their pioneering work of in the field of ethical sourcing and fair trade gems. Their claims of ethical pro-activity have been accepted by the public and in the trade. Yet at this point, the precise definition of what constitutes a fair trade gem is still very much under debate. Many fair trade advocates believe that, to qualify, products must come only from community based operations and be third party certified. Today, CGH is a private, profit-driven company that is not certified and has polishing operations in China.
The CGH attempt to trademark “fair trade gems” is an not only onerous to the entire ASM sector, it is contrary to spirit of the international fair trade movement, and a betrayal to the many of CGH’s loyal trade customers. Some view CGH’s attempt to monopolize the term applying to a generalized process as undermining the CGH’s fair trade gem stance.

At present, an international group, including the Tanzanian Woman’s Mining Association and several designers who actually purchase from CGH, are organizing to find a means to block CGH from owning and unfairly exploiting the term “fair trade gems.”
Current Fair Initiatives for Fair Trade Gems
CGH is just one of several groups that are claiming that fair trade simply means fairly sourced, or sourced ethically. One commonality is that everyone who claims fair trade gems can trace the product seamlessly from the mine through polishing, directly to the market. Inherent to the effort is the delivery of greater benefit to the producer communities.
In an ideal world, a fair trade gem would come from a third party certified, cooperative mining community.   Beneficiation, including polishing and community development, would be based in and benefit local economies. This simply does not exist. Instead, we have three different models emerging for fair trade gems: Co-op’s, Companies, and Collaborators
Co-operatives or associations of small scale miners. ASM co-ops ideally would be selling fair trade finished gems, similar to the Oro Verde project which sells fair trade gold from Colombia. One example of an organized group which is working on this is the Tanzania Women Miners Association.

Companies developing a fair trade process by owning the mine. Columbia Gems has pioneered this process at a ruby deposit in Malawi with their cutting tightly supervised in China. A second example of this type of company is Ruby Fair www.rubyfair.com, which sources out of a remote village in Tanzania and polishes in Dar es Salaam. Open Source Minerals (www.opensourceminerals.com) in Madagascar also qualifies.

Individuals who contact the artisannal miners directly and develop relationships that benefit the villages based upon a fair trade ethos. They personally finance exploration and shepheard the rough to cut through a factory which they know is ethical. Guy Clutterbuck’s work with emeralds and aquamarine in Zambia qualifies.

      It seems unreasonable and counter-productive to allow one single element in this channel, let alone one single company, CGH, to monopolize the descriptive term for procedures that are practiced by many companies, co-ops, and individuals.

Imagine how different things would be in the coffee trade right now if one company back in the nineteen seventies trademarked the term "fair trade coffee."   What would the market look like now if one company had that kind of monopoly on language?

Fair Trade Gems has the potential to be as big a market driver as fair trade coffee has become within ten to twenty years.   If any one company monopolizes the trademark for this term, it will become an irreparable hindrance to growth and prosperity in some of the poorest villages in the world. The open-inclusive option is a far-better choice for everyone involved in the ethical sourcing community.

   We must work together to get CGH to re-consider their claim. If that fails, the global community must block CGH’s effort to trade-mark and monopolize the term “Fair Trade Gems” which rightly belongs to the world community dedicated to the noble purpose.

By Marc Choyt
Publisher: www.fairjewelry.org
President: Reflective Images Inc.

21.9.09 Top extra fine AAA Ethical Ruby , untreated and unheated fine ruby over 1000 Ruby facets to choose from.

17.9.09 Great news we have a large shipment which has arrived of untreated and unheated ethical Ruby and Sapphire. We also have some uncut Ruby and Sapphire rough and some uncut Spinel which we have had requests for. Over 500 new ruby facets so if you want a first look contact us via our contact page.

Newton Abbot Racecourse
5 and 6 September 2009 (11th year)
Around 35 exhibitors
Newton Abbot, Devon.
TQ12 3AF
Opposite Tesco's in Newton Abbot, Signs for racecourse from either A38 or A380.
Adults £3.00, Seniors £1.50,
Children (8-16 years) £1.00, under 8's free,
(no advance tickets)
Show open 10:00am - 5.00pm Saturday & 10am - 4pm Sunday

www.rockngem.co.uk/events.asp

4.9.09 We are due a big delivery mid september please contact us early for any specific cut sizes.

24.8.09 A short film to see us in action ! Film click here

21.8.09 We now have over 500 facets .Ruby, sapphhire , spinel.

18.8.09 A range of paired rubies for earrings .

Untreated ruby great prices.

17.8.09 Children at the Orphanage sponsered by Rubyfair receive educational books. Rashid mine foreman delivers supplies while visiting the orphanage on 11.8.09. Rubyfair.com as well as searching for Ruby sponsers the local orphanage.

17.8.09 We are expecting over 150 ruby stones , including 40 ruby facet over 1ct , plus spinel . All these are ethical Ruby and sapphire. Photographs of this latest Ruby will be added to web site on Friday .

15.8.09 Burmese ban renew. All jewellers, their and stone buyers should question why this ban is not extended across the globe. Rubies and sapphire can be mined in a fair and ethical way why buy from source with such an appalling record.

http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/colored-stones/color-market-reports/e3i39ca3f33c75e0e230cdd10bd0e1a451f

15.8.09 Article which tells all why Rubies from Burma should be avoided. Ethical Rubies are now available across the colour and quality range.

http://www.refugeesinternational.org/where-we-work/asia/burma?gclid=CKSevJmfppwCFV8B4wodkB3okw

15.8.09 Nest week new delivery expected Ruby and sapphire gem quality also spinel.

12.8.09 Just added amazing Ruby facet and cabochon offer. These ethical rubies and cabochon are all untreated and unheated. Rich colours at amazing prizes ideal for the creative small jeweller or somebody just starting out. This gives access to ethical Ruby at low cost . See these Ruby offers from our home page special offers.

9.8.09 Day two at Kempton Park . Met some great people lots of Ethical Ruby talk seems to be a hot topic.

8.8.09 First day of two day Show details below large selection of ethical Rubies , ethical sapphires and ethical spinel for sale. Ruby facet and cabochon. Sapphire facet and cabochon . Come along and see us. Mention this page and you get 10 per cent discount.

Kempton Park Racecourse

8 and 9 August 2009 (16th year)
Around 75 exhibitors
Staines Road East (A308) Sunbury on Thames, West London.
TW16 5AQ
Only 5 miles from the M25 & 400 Metres from Junction 1 of the M3
trains from Waterloo now stop at Kempton Park Station
Adults £4.00, Seniors £2.50,
Children (8-16 years) £1.00, under 8's free,
(no advance tickets)
Show open 10:00am - 5.00pm Saturday & 10am - 5pm Sunday

6.8.09 New stones , new look website . Books and toys delivered to orphanage.

3.8.09 I was asked at the weekend what we meant by ethical ruby . Well this is what we stick by.

no child labour we employ no children ( under 18 ) in the mining or cutting process . We do have one lad who is 16 who helps in the kitchen at the mine and he makes very good cakes !

minimal or no damage to the environment We recycle our water and let it settle. All our open cast soil is replanted by local farmers who are welcome on our land. Before we started up we had a fulll environmental study completed and we stick to it.

fair pay and conditions for the workers We feed house and pay our miners above the standard wage for a skilled fundi ( craftsman) they also all share bonuses.

no heat, filling or fracture treatment in our gems We find then cut them them sell them thats it 100 per cent natural.

support to the local community We sponsor the local orphange .

So thats it ethical rubies hope you like them.

2.8.09 New look to website with easy to search features please let us know what you think.

23.7.09 Another mention on a Jewellers Blog please read here. http://www.hkjewellery.co.uk/blog/default.asp?Entry=182

7.7.09 "Hello Peter Brown. My rubies arrived today as promised and I must say I am "blown away" by the speed and efficiency of your service. It means that I have plenty of time to get the stones made up into earings for my missus to mark our 40th wedding anniversary. You can be sure that I will recommend rubyfair to anyone who listens. regards. Harry. p.s. Feel free to use my comments re Rubyfair. Like I said, it's been a pleasure."

5.7.09 Over 100 facets 16 over a carat one at 2.9 ct just in.

18.6.09 Cut and ready for you , contact us.

17.6.09 Some great rough now cut and on the way to you please call for orders.

31ST OF MAY Thanks to everyone who came ( and bought ! ) to see us at Newcastle.

30.May great start at show pop down to see us if you are near.

Ruby Fair At the Rock and Gem in Newcastle come to see us today and tomorrow Newcastle Racecourse 30 and 31 May
Around 30 exhibitors High Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
NE3 5HP
The Racecourse is well signposted from the A1.
Adults £3.00, Seniors £1.50,
Children (8-16 years) £1.00, under 8's free,
(no advance tickets)
Show open 10:00am - 5.00pm Saturday & 10am - 4pm Sunday

www.rockngem.co.uk/events.aspMay 19th Thanks for all the support we are getting about our ethical stance heres a link to Muranosilver blog . http://muranosilver.blogspot.com/2009/05/our-new-supplier-of-ethical-rubies.html Heres the reason why we should all question Gems origins www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2558552.ece

May 15th New stones and New cuts.Have a look at latest stones before they go.

April 29th we are now on face book look for us via Ruby Fair and add us as a friend ! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1747457965&ref=profile

April 17th.

This month we are in Retail Jeweller magazine . If you would like to see a copy either by pdf or post please contact us and we will send one to you.

April 8th . Back from 3 week visit to mine with some nice Sapphire facets plus some Ruby facet and cabochon. Pictures will be added to website as soon as possible but if you want an early viewing please contact us.

Here are some pictures from recent visit.

Pete hands out general supplies to the Ukwama children at the orphanage Rubyfair.com supports. We also distributed childrens clothings , sweets and toys which had been donated.

Water from seiving is diverted through natural stone to reduce flow and allow settlement of sediment before rejoining water course.

"Its red but is it a Ruby ! " A stone is handpicked from newly sieved gravel.

"First rate service many thanks , delighted with my ruby. " M Laing . Cheshire.