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The Rare Gemstone Company: 50 Years of Trust and Innovation

The Rare Gemstone Company 50 Years of Trust and Innovation_2
Photo Courtesy: Antony Zagoritis

Zagoritis holds up a freshly unearthed Tanzanite crystal at the mouth of the mine

By: Georgette Virgo

Celebrating a decade in business is commendable, but reaching the half-century mark testifies to a company’s enduring excellence and adaptability. This is the story of The Rare Gemstone Company, which has thrived for the last 50 years, weathering changing market preferences and evolving industry practices. 

Since 1974, this East African gem has provided the world with the finest gemstones, carving out a legacy of luxury and innovation. What are the secrets behind The Rare Gemstone Company’s golden years of success?

Strong Foundation of Transparency

The Rare Gemstone Company has long recognized the importance of transparency in an industry often shrouded in mystery. From its early days of working closely with artisanal miners to source, cut, design, and set rare colored gemstones, the company has consistently pushed for greater openness.

This commitment to transparency reached new heights with the launch of their groundbreaking technology. This system allows customers to trace the journey of every gemstone back to its origin, providing rare gemstone information in an industry where such details are typically hard to come by.

Antony Zagoritis, CEO of The Rare Gemstone Company, explains its significance: “Our blockchain system isn’t just about providing information. It’s about building trust with our customers and setting new industry standards. We believe every gemstone has a story, and our customers deserve to know that story from start to finish.”

This push for transparency has set The Rare Gemstone Company apart from its competitors and helped elevate the entire industry. By demonstrating that transparency is possible and profitable, the company has encouraged others to follow, making the industry a more ethical and accountable gemstone trade.

Building Enduring Relationships with Local Miners

Aside from its value of transparency, Zagoritis believes that a big part of The Rare Gemstone Company’s success is attributed to its partner local miners.“The jewelry industry, especially rare gemstones, is huge and definitely a complex business. We wouldn’t be able to adapt and survive for long years without our miners’ help,” he adds.

The Rare Gemstone Company 50 Years of Trust and Innovation

Photo Courtesy: Antony Zagoritis
The RGC Artisanal Miners extracting a Tsavorite pocket in Taita Taveta District of Kenya

This is why, for half a century, the company has invested its time and resources in building good relationships with tribes and communities in the areas where they mine, recognizing the importance of local knowledge and support. This collaborative approach not only ensures a steady supply of high-quality gemstones but also contributes to the sustainable development of these regions.

With these relationships, The Rare Gemstone Company has gained access to newly discovered deposits and rare specimens that might otherwise remain hidden from the global market. Zagoritis shares how the team regularly ventures into the African wilderness, braving challenging conditions to seek out the most exceptional and rare gemstones. This hands-on approach has allowed them to work closely with independent miners, fostering trust and mutual respect that has endured for decades. 

“Our good relationships with miners allow us to offer our clients unmatched quality and authentic gemstones. It’s a collaboration that benefits all parties involved, from the miners to the end consumers,” Zagoritis explains. 

Trademark of Team Excellence

From the rugged mines of Africa to its design office, The Rare Gemstone Company has built a culture of excellence reflected in every aspect of its operations. This is evident in its unique approach to employee empowerment. 

According to Zagoritis, staff members are regularly given time to brainstorm and develop new ideas, encouraging them to push beyond conventional boundaries. This open and collaborative environment ensures that every concept, no matter how unconventional, is given due consideration. 

In a Forbes article, Zagoritis shares that they do not have a strict rule on the number of ideas each should contribute, but he encourages them to present something new even once a month. He mentions, “We don’t institutionalize any rule, as pressure can kill creativity.” This light and collaborative approach has allowed employees to share ideas, even the most unique and absurd ones. 

From ideation to execution, the company’s in-house design team constantly evolves and seamlessly blends new techniques with time-honored craftsmanship to create contemporary and timeless jewelry. They incorporate advanced technologies to produce captivating pieces that honor the rich heritage of gemstone artistry while resonating with modern tastes.

This balance between innovation and tradition has resulted in a sophisticated collection of rare gemstones and bespoke pieces serving clients worldwide. 

Reflecting on a Legacy of Excellence

Despite its 50 years of success, The Rare Gemstone Company acknowledges that its journey has not always been smooth sailing. The gemstone industry is filled with challenges, from the unpredictable nature of mining, changing global market dynamics, and economic downturns to shifts in consumer preferences. These obstacles have tested the company’s resilience and forced it to reevaluate its strategies time and again. However, through these trials, they have learned its most valuable lesson: the importance of adaptability.

For Zagoritis, this ability to adapt has become the cornerstone of the company’s longevity and success. He mentions, “Whether embracing modern technology to enhance their mining and cutting processes, adjusting to evolving customer preferences, or staying ahead of trends in gemstone and jewelry styles, we have consistently demonstrated our capacity to evolve. This flexibility allowed us to maintain our reputation of excellence.”

Zagoritis and The Rare Gemstone Company are excited to have more years of excellence, to achieve new milestones, and to deliver something new as exceptional as the gemstones they offer. 

Published by: Martin De Juan

(Ambassador)

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