An abridged version of this article first appeared in the JNA July/August 2023 issue.  

Raphael Gübelin, president of the House of Gübelin, is at the forefront of several progressive measures aimed at fostering traceability, transparency and sustainable sourcing in the jewellery and gemstone trade.

These achievements include Provenance Proof, which enables secure documentation of a gemstone’s entire supply chain journey beyond origin determination; Provenance Proof Marketplace, a new feature of the Provenance Proof Blockchain that functions as an online platform for transparently traded gems; Gübelin Gemstone Rating, which offers more orientation and comparability when trading coloured gems; and Gemtelligence, a new milestone in gemmology that ensures consistency in coloured gem analyses through the use of machine-learning concepts.

“At the House of Gübelin, we foster traceability and transparency. We want to be a force for good,” remarked Raphael. “Gemstones are fascinating, but they are non-essentials. If people do not feel informed or comfortable about buying it, they would choose to invest in something else like art.”

The House's businesses include Gübelin Jewellery, Gübelin Gem Lab, Gübelin Academy and Provenance Proof.

Provenance Proof has become the gold standard for transparency and traceability in the industry. Raphael explained that a significant number of high-quality emeralds come with Physical Tracers developed by Gübelin and can be traced back to their mine of origin. The company started using Physical Tracers on emeralds, and now, on pearls as well. Opal and diamond applications of this technology are being developed. 

To date, Provenance Proof Blockchain houses around eight million gem and jewellery items while over 700 companies have joined, including more than 140 jewellers and manufacturers.

"Provenance Proof's mission is to offer increased transparency to the entire gemstone and jewellery industry," noted Raphael. "Its purpose is to provide independent, proven transparency and traceability to support sustainability efforts and to simplify supply chain risk management through digital and physical tracking solutions. This topic will become even more important in the years to come."

Gübelin Gem Lab and Gübelin Academy are celebrating their 100^th anniversary and 10^th anniversary, respectively, in 2023. 

“We are also opening the Gübelin Gem Museum in Lucerne to showcase our history and share our passion for gems and gemmology with the public," revealed Raphael, adding that the museum offers an exciting journey through the history of the House of Gübelin.

For instance, visitors can view some specimens from theGübelin Reference Stone Collection, which comprises more than 28,000 gems from all commercial relevant mines worldwide.

According to Raphael, this collection could very well be the world’s most complete collection of rubies, sapphires, emeralds and other types of coloured gemstones. It also encompasses mines, which have been exhausted or closed decades ago.

For more information about the “Extraordinary 40” Awards, visit jwawards.com.

As part of its 40^th anniversary content programme, JNA is casting the spotlight on the “Extraordinary 40” Awardees with special online features covering the highlights of their careers and the valuable lessons they have learned along the way. Click here to view the “Meet the Extraordinary 40” series from May to September, with new profiles published every week.