The art of gem cutting and polishing is called lapidary, and the artist doing the cutting and polishing is also called a lapidary or lapidarist. 

Behind every piece of beautifully handcrafted gold jewelry, there are hours of patient, precise work by a goldsmith. Delicate designs are forged with hammers, saws, files, blowtorches, anvils, and more. And these tools must be wielded with exceptional skill honed through years of practice.

While you can learn about your jewelry’s origins from the comfort of your home, I encourage you to embrace every opportunity to travel straight to the source. More precious than the gems and jewelry we collect are the people and places that they represent. Discovering them first-hand will add layers of meaning to your own collection. To inspire your journey, here are four awe-inspiring travel destinations where gems are ethically mined and produced.

 Radiant emeralds have been sought-after for thousands of years, and Colombian emeralds have the richest provenance. While collectors value the clarity of these verdant jewels, emerald mining practices have been less than transparent. Thankfully, IEEX Emeralds is raising the bar for transparency in the industry with emeralds from Colombia’s most legendary mines.  The Finest Emeralds in the World Colombia’s unique geology is said to create the finest emeralds on earth. Indeed, IEEX emeralds owe their superior color and clarity to the unique qualities of the famous Muzo and Chivor mines in Boyaca, Colombia. Unlike other emeralds that are found in solidified magma, Colombian emeralds form in sedimentary rock. Extreme pressure from tectonic activity turns beryllium, chromium, and vanadium in the...