Gübelin
Gem labs determine a gemstone’s country of origin by identifying geological properties. However, this technique does not provide enough information to determine the specific mines. Haelixa has been a partner since 2017 of the renowned Gübelin Gem Lab in tracing freshly mined emeralds from the mine of provenance to the store.
Gübelin Gem Lab is the world’s most respected institution for testing and identifying coloured gemstones. In 2020 Provenance Proof was established as an independent subsidiary under the House of Gübelin to serve as a neutral party providing third-party confirmed physical and digital traceability within the gems and jewelry industry.
Project Scope
Haelixa supplies Gübelin Gem Lab with a unique DNA formulation to mark the emeralds at the source. The markers are associated with information that can be custom-made to meet a user’s needs, identifying the mine of origin, mining period, country of manufacture, manufacture period, etc. A Paternity Test is done on the finished stone, and the traceability data collected are then stored in the Everledger blockchain as part of the Provenance Proof initiative.
“The DNA tracing technology from Haelixa is a key element of our Provenance Proof initiative and has developed into a fruitful strategic partnership.”
Daniel Nyfeler
Managing Director at Gubelin Gem Lab