Responsible Sourcing
At Era & Zum, we understand the importance of responsible sourcing, which has an increasing impact on people’s choices of gems.
With the reality of not being able to speak the language of the country where the gems are sourced.
We turned our disadvantage into our strength, giving us a stronger drive to be even more careful when it comes to choosing the gem and more eager to dig deeper and learn about the story of how each gem was mined and processed to its final glory.
Most of our gems are sourced from Sri Lanka, where we have our trusted suppliers who are a family-run gem business for generations. Their understanding and knowledge of the trade is unparalleled.
After years of working with them, we have established a very trusting relationship, which helps us find good quality gems at a fair price.
Meanwhile, we stock some African gems sourced through our Sri Lankan alliance, such as tsavorite garnets and Mozambique rubies. We are aware of the complexities of mining in some parts of Africa; hence, before we bring in the gems, we always make sure they come from ethical miners and reliable sources.
It is certainly challenging to change the reality of gem mining for the moment, but that will not stop us from doing our part to create even just a small positive impact by sourcing responsibly.
By working with people from the origin of the gems, each gem you purchase gives everyone involved in producing that gem the chance to continue their work. This is a small contribution we can provide back to the community of colour gems, which includes miners, gem cutters, suppliers, and all those related to them.
While this is a business for profit (no surprise there), we still take pride in that little effort as well as respect for all who contribute to making that gem shine in the sun.
The main point is that, by working together, we are aiming to source premium, sustainably-mined colour gems.
Each precious stone of ERA & ZUM comes with a professional lab certificate that states its origin.
As a small, local, family-run business in Melbourne, without overhead or shopfront, we only price on the gem. So, you can purchase coloured gems from us with confidence and trust.
We are not here to compete with other big gem dealers; we simply act as a responsible member of the trade and would like to take you on a ride in this colorful world with honesty, trust, love, and joy.