Welcome
Explore our site to learn about the people, places, and processes of colored gemstone mining around the world. Think about how the ancient practice of artisinal mining interacts with complex ecological and social webs in some of the places where the earth produces amazing pockets of rubies, sapphires and emeralds.

About Gemecology
Gems and the Environment is a project of Saleem H. Ali, Ph.D. and Sally Dickinson DeLeon conducted with generous support from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and several research collaborators. We hope that the site will serve as an educational resource for those interested in improving the living conditions and quality of life of artisinal miners around the globe.

 

Research Reports to Download

Artisinal Ruby Mining in Myanmar:
Environmental and Social Impacts

Artisinal Sapphire Mining in Madagascar:
Environmental and Social Impacts

Emerald Mining and Local Development:
Three Case Studies in Brazil

 

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Featured Film ~ The Emerald City

Focusing on the mining town of Campos Verde, Brazil, this short film highlights the costs and benefits of emerald mining and marketing.  While there are negative environmental impacts from the mines, modernization and research have revealed positive practices and a cascade of sustainable development effects from the emerald business in Campos Verde and other market towns. Filmed by Saleem Ali in conjunction with his attendance at the 5th Annual General Meeting of Communities and Small-Scale Mining (CASM), a multi-donor technical assistance facility that aims to reduce poverty and improve quality of life in mining communities, the film depicts the complexity of environmental and social issues involved in gemstone mining and proffers ideas on how to establish sustainable livelihoods for rural communities in Brazil.

Watch The Emerald City on Google Video.

Mining in Burma, Myanmar, Madagascar, Cambodia, Thailand || Mining in Burma, Myanmar, Madagascar, Cambodia, Thailand || Mining in Burma, Myanmar, Madagascar, Cambodia, Thailand || Mining in Burma, Myanmar, Madagascar, Cambodia, Thailand || Mining in Burma, Myanmar, Madagascar, Cambodia, Thailand