About Us
Giving Back to Artisanal Miners
‘Gems Keep Giving’ (GKG) is an initiative set up by the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) to support artisanal gemstone mining and cutting communities around the globe. As the name implies those involved in the gemstone industry now have a way of giving back to those in our industry who are most in need. By giving we are not only changing lives for the better but we are also helping to make our industry more sustainable.
The vast majority of the volume of colored gemstones in the market place are produced by small artisanal miners and cutters, many of whom work and live under difficult circumstances. It is incumbent upon our gem and jewellery industry to support these people and their families to help them prosper and grow in a safe, sustainable and inclusive environment.
ICA is made up of around 700 members around the globe involved in all aspects of the colored gem industry including mining, cutting, manufacture, gemmological research, education, marketing, design and retailing. ICA’s reach and influence enables it to identify the areas in need of assistance and to provide and co-ordinate the resources necessary to help make positive and meaningful change to communities.
We want to make a difference by providing timely and effective assistance which will focus on the key areas of concern: safety, human rights, fair work, inclusiveness, environmental impact, resource sustainability and community amenity.
There will be no administration costs, so this means 100% of monies raised by the ‘Gems Keep Giving’ fund will be utilised for the defined projects. We will warmly welcome assistance from socially conscious corporate sponsors, foundations and donors who will see that through the GKG fund their generosity can really make a difference to the lives and communities of some of the less fortunate people in our gemstone community.
We can all play our part, whether it be a donation, an endowment, a fund-raising effort, identification of a community project, or providing hands-on aid and assistance.
Let’s all be involved in this most worthy endeavour.
Warm regards,
Damien Cody
Chairman
Gems Keep Giving Fund
ICA Vice President
About the ICA:
The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), a non-profit organization, is the only worldwide body specifically created to benefit the global colored gemstone industry. ICA was founded in 1984 and is now comprised of over 700 gem industry leaders from mine to market, including miners, gem cutters, suppliers, retailers, trade associations, gemological laboratories, academia, museums, and more, from 47 countries who are devoted to advancing and promoting the knowledge and appreciation of colored gemstones.
ICA’s global network works to develop a common language for promotion and consistent business standards necessary to improve international communication and trade of colored gemstones.
Over the years ICA has provided direct access to the source for colored gemstones and related information. There is no other international organization with the same collective access to, and knowledge about, all levels of the colored gemstone industry.
All images ICA © Special thanks to: Andy, Eric, John, Mariana and JC.