Provenance Proof: A blockchain initiative from Gübelin and Everledger

There is surely no better example of the convergence between the ethical and technological shifts within the fine jewellery industry than the newly established ‘Provenance Proof Blockchain’ initiative, a Gübelin Gem Lab and Everledger partnership.

As one of the world’s most respected gemmological laboratories, the Gübelin Gem Lab has almost 100 years experience in analysing diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls. Everledger was founded in 2015, and provides industries with a tamper-proof ledger of data; such as the provenance, carat weight and exact facet map of each gemstone, as well as numerous other reference points which create a unique information blueprint for every individual gem. 

Having successfully applied Everledger’s innovative solution to the diamond industry, it is a natural progression to now expand the application to the coloured gemstone industry. – Leanne Kemp, CEO and founder of Everledger.

Currently allowing access to the provenance of over 1.8 million diamonds on their blockchain, Everledger’s technology has already expanded into the world of fine wine and art, among other luxury industries. Within this collaboration the ‘Provenance Proof Blockchain’ will contain the entire lifecycle of a gemstone – from miners, dealers, cutters, gemmological laboratories, wholesalers, jewellers, retailers and eventually to the end consumer – will contribute and have access to all of this data, but will not be able to change or effect it in any way.  To learn more about this intriguing new technology, I spoke to Dr. Daniel Nyfeler, Managing Director of the Gübelin Gem Lab:

The partnership of the Everledger and Gübelin ‘Provenance Proof’ blockchain has the potential to create transparency in the formerly opaque world of gemstone purchasing.