At Bario Neal we ensure that our colored gemstones have been handled according to strict labor and environmental standards. We have developed trust-based relationships with small-scale and artisanal gemstone suppliers, some of whom are individual families, and others highly respected ethical vendors. Through these relationships we are able to provide high quality gems while supporting an industry that is steadily moving towards increasingly rigorous environmental, labor, and health standards. Our suppliers work closely with their artisanal mine sources through beneficial relationships, often helping mines develop stronger environmental and ethical standards. They spend a great deal of time visiting mines and cutting and polishing facilities, so that they have a first-hand knowledge of what goes on there, ensuring that the mines and facilities are upholding their commitment to environmental responsibility and the welfare of their workers. Some of our suppliers provide micro-financing to small-scale mining operations to help them protect and restore the biodiversity of the lands they affect, and to financially assist with goals involving community, health, and education developments that positively impact their communities.

As the ethical gem industry has evolved, we have responded through continual research and engagement to source the highest quality, most ethical gems available on the market. Colored gemstones vary widely in both hue and quality, and likewise are mined across the world under varied conditions. The jewelry industry faces the challenge of developing both a broad strategy for responsible sourcing for colored gemstones, as well as ecosystem-specific approaches to each of these materials. As a result of these realities, our sources sometimes change. We continue to update our sources accordingly to maintain transparency. Learn More

We currently source our blue sapphires from three primary sources: Malawi, the United States, and Australia.

Many of our blue sapphires come from the Chimwadzulu Hill Mine in southern Malawi. The shallow deposits of sapphires endemic to Malawi allow for small scale mining activities that have a relatively low environmental impact on the surrounding area. The Chimwadzulu Hill Mine operates only during the dry season from April to October in an effort to protect wildlife habitats, streams, watersheds, and groundwater. The life of the mine has been projected at 20 years, after which a reclamation program will begin to restore the land and surrounding habitats. In the meanwhile, mining operations are minimized as much as possible to keep impacts low. The mine currently employs 70 people from surrounding communities, and embraces fair trade principles by paying above-average wages and offering health benefits to all its workers. Proceeds from the mine have gone to building a new school for locals, accommodating about 450 students. The mine will also fund a new medical clinic and four housing units for teachers at the school. Sapphires from this mine are cut in China at a factory that pays three times the minimum wage and offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees.

Our US-sourced sapphires come from Montana. These stones are subject to U.S. labor and environmental laws, and are fully traceable.

We work with larger blue sapphires from Australia that are fully traceable and follow Fair Trade regulations. Australian mines are regulated by the strict environmental and safety standards of the Australian government. As with Australian diamond mines, Australian gemstone mines are required to maintain an environmental stewardship program, with plans for reclaiming the land and local habitats once the mine closes. Workers are well-paid with comprehensive benefits, and work in a safe, well-regulated environment. Our white and orange sapphires come from a mine in Sri Lanka that produces sapphires in wide array of colors. All cutting and polishing is done on site at the mine, eliminating the possibility for stones to be shipped to a cutting facility where human rights abuses may be occurring. Our pink rose cut sapphires currently come from an artisanal mine in Madagascar. We source the sapphires in our sapphire slice earrings and pendant primarily from Montana, and a few are from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Learn More

Bario Neal’s ruby slices are sourced in Mozambique through an ethical supplier that is committed to visiting the mine site on a regular basis to confirm its environmental and ethical commitment. Our supplier even provides financial support when needed to assist with further development of environmental stewardship programs, community investment, and worker welfare. Learn More

Bario Neal sources responsible emeralds from Zambia. Our supplier visits the mine site on a regular basis to confirm its environmental and ethical commitment, and provides financial support when needed to assist with further development of environmental stewardship programs, community investment, and worker welfare. Learn More

All of our semi-precious gems are sourced for their quality and ethicality--we only offer gems from suppliers or mines that meet our high standards for environmental care and social responsibility.

We currently source our aquamarines from Brazil and the Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAWOMA). Our Brazilian aquamarines are sourced through a trusted ethical supplier that promotes sustainability and social responsibility within the jewelry industry, and works only with mines that meet their high standards. TAWOMA is a nonprofit organization based in Tanzania that was started by its secretary general Shamsa Diwani. TAWOMA’s mission is to help women miners organize themselves in order to access financial, technical, educational, and marketing services, with the ultimate goal of carrying out mining activities that are safe, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable. TAWOMA was established in the mid 1990’s, and has grown to include over 350 members. Most of the stones from TAWOMA are cut in their own lapidary by women who have received training through TAWOMA, and sometimes receive additional polishing by a cutter in San Francisco.

Our andalusite currently comes from a mine in Madagascar through a highly respected ethical supplier.

Our black jade is sourced from a Wyoming, USA mine and faceted by hand in Philadelphia.

Bario Neal currently sources its opals from an Ethiopian mining collective in Wollo Province. The mine opened in 2008, so it is still a young mine, and current efforts are focused on educating the miners’ children and families. Our ethical supplier last visited the mine in 2011, confirming that mining conditions meet their ethical standards. There are about 70 locals who are authorized by the government to mine the area, ensuring that the mining activities are benefiting the local community. The collective mostly uses hand tools for their mining practices since they are mining close to the surface, ensuring a low environmental impact. The opals are then cut and polished in a well-respected facility in Jaipur, India that we have worked with for many years. Bario Neal was introduced to the Wollo Province collective by another collective of women miners in Taita Taveta, Kenya. Learn More

Bario Neal uses melee colored gemstones (under .18 carat) that we carefully source from trusted suppliers and mines who uphold high standards for environmental and social responsibility. Our melee gemstones are both of the highest quality and the most ethical available on the market. We currently source a wide range of melee sapphire colors (like fuschia or seafoam) from Madagascar and Mozambique through a highly respected ethical supplier who visits the mines to ensure their commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Bario Neal sources melee green and blue sapphires from Australia, where the mines are subject to Australia’s strict environmental and labor laws. Bario Neal sources responsible emeralds melee from Zambia. Our supplier visits the mine site on a regular basis to confirm its environmental and ethical commitment, and provides financial support when needed to assist with further development of environmental stewardship programs, community investment, and worker welfare. Learn More

Reclaimed or recycled gemstones are stones that entered the supply chain once and have been repurposed from other jewelry or old stock. They require no new mining and do not create further human or environmental impact.

An heirloom stone is a gem that has been passed down through the family. Bario Neal will set an heirloom colored gemstone into a new Bario Neal ring, since they are similar to recycled gemstones in that they do not create further human or environmental impact. As part of our commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing, we will not reset newly purchased non-traceable colored gems into one of our Bario Neal settings. Learn More