Nonprofit Auctions Gems to Help Artisanal Miners

RAPAPORT... Nonprofit group Gem Legacy will launch an auction of donated jewelry and loose gems to celebrate its second anniversary, with the proceeds going to fund new tool kits for artisanal miners in Africa."Tools are absolutely essential to small gem miners' success," Rachel Dery, director of communications and outreach for Gem Legacy, said last week. "The tool kit will provide them with more efficient setups that will allow them to be more productive in their mining."The group, which supports education, vocational training and local economies in small artisanal gem-mining communities in Africa, will hold the auction from September 22 to 26. It will include a rhodolite garnet donated by Parl?(C) Jewelry Designs, a Nigerian pink tourmaline and spessartine garnet from Roger Dery Gem Design, and a Madagascar green sapphire from Michael Couch & Associates.Gem Legacy will adapt the tool kits, which will include items such as shovels, chisels and blasting tools, to the needs of each mine it supports. It also plans to expand the program to new areas and countries in which it works, the group added.Image: The rhodolite garnet donated by Parl?(C) Jewelry Designs. (Gem Legacy)