Orion&Sirius Gems, a global coloured gemstones merchant, has announced the release of its global “Fingerprint” campaign in September aimed to raise global awareness on the importance of sustainable gems mining practices in Africa.
The brand will be unveiling different chapters of its gem journey and will start an open dialogue between international jewellery and fashion brands. Private rough auctions and a miners’ empowerment programme will be held to introduce the brand’s mine-to-market journey.
With a seven-year long experience, the African gemstone supplier has discovered unique gems in different African countries including Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Gems like aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet, emerald, sapphire, and many others are handpicked and graded directly within the mines.
Orion&Sirius gemmology expertise led it to explore Jos, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Taraba, among other states to identify the best gems deposits in Nigeria.
“It has been more than seven years that we have been exploring African gems fields. It has been a rewarding journey. Now, we can confidently state that coloured gemstones industry represents a substantial development opportunity for Africa,” said Solange Boccovi, managing director, Orion&Sirius. “Coloured gemstones industry is a $23 billion sector Africa should benefit from. Nigeria is endowed with a variety of precious and semi-precious gems. Beyond their international market trade value, they also constitute local development opportunities,” Boccovi said.
Boccovi further said sustainable trade and mining practices are the most effective models for Nigeria to reap long-term growth benefits from the export of its natural resources.
“Beyond gemstones, solid minerals represent substantial trade opportunities internationally. The global jewellery market currently surpasses $272 billion. Then it is time for Africa to become a leading player in global jewellery sector. Sustainable trade is an impactful development solution and a necessary sector evolution. It is also an economic legacy for the next generations to come. Producing beautiful gems should be as important as growing the hands that mine them,” he said.
“Beyond our support to African gems miners, we would like to extend growth benefits to Africa luxury and fashion industries. Responsibly-sourced gems are a luxury norm which adds value to the whole supply chain,” he added.
Orion&Sirius envisions economic growth potential and employment opportunities all across jewellery supply chain and it is through empowering collaborations that it plans to meet gems with ethic in bringing Made-in-Africa luxury to the forefront.
IFEOMA OKEKE
