Gemstone trader LapiGems is now asked by two-thirds of its customers exactly where its gems are from, meaning provenance and traceability are now essential information for today's well-informed customers. Founded in 1979, the company—which works with small artisanal miners to source rare-coloured gemstones—has developed a system where each stone is photographed at the exit of the mine and weighed, before being inscribed at its workshop in blockchain. When the gemstone is sold, the buyer's details are linked to the precise information inscribed on the gem. All of the information from beginning to end is entered into the Nairobi.
Gemstone trader LapiGems is now asked by two-thirds of its customers exactly where its gems are from, meaning provenance and traceability are now essential information for today's well-informed customers. Founded in 1979, the company—which works with small artisanal miners to source rare-coloured gemstones—has developed a system where each stone is photographed at the exit of the mine and weighed, before being inscribed at its workshop in Nairobi. When the gemstone is sold, the buyer's details are linked to the precise information inscribed on the gem. All of the information from beginning to end is entered into the blockchain.