Gemfields and Fabergé have unveiled what they believe is the world’s first laser-inscribed emerald, a polished gemstone that contains both traceability information and a personalised message. The 4.11 carat, lively green emerald-cut gem has been mounted by Fabergé as a custom-crafted item for the successful winner of a charity auction held by the charity mothers2mothers at Salma Hayek Pinault’s London home in November.

Fabergé had earlier acquired the gemstone, which was mined at Gemfields’ Kagem emerald mine in Zambia.

The information that is laser-engraved on the girdle of the emerald, and which can be read only at 20x magnification, includes:

• a secret message chosen by the winner
• the reference number of the gemstone’s Gübelin laboratory certificate
• a Gemfields reference number

Gemfields has clarified that the laser-inscription process has no effect on the colour, clarity or other characteristics of the gem.

The winner of the auction is also being hosted by Gemfields on a tour of the mine in Zambia, to see for themselves the very source of their unique emerald, as well as the mine’s community projects in place in the area.

Sean Gilbertson, CEO of Gemfields said, “Gemfields is thrilled to unveil another exciting advance, simultaneously supporting both the traceability and the romance of precious coloured gemstones. Gemfields’ belief that there is ‘A story in every gemstone’ is taken to a new level by laser-engraving a personalised message on a gem. We wish to thank the dynamic team at the AnchorCert Gem Lab for their assistance with this project.”

To improve traceability and transparency, Gemfields has previously introduced innovations such as Gübelin gemstone certificates and later unveiled a ‘paternity testing’ mechanism whereby un-cut gemstones could be tagged at source with specially encoded nano-particles which would survive cutting, polishing and treatment processes, allowing the mine-of-origin of the gemstone to be determined years or decades later.

Pic caption: Emeralds from Kagem mine in Zambia