Sapphire

Responsibly sourced sapphires from Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Australia and Malawi. Nineteen48 works directly with a trusted network of miners and suppliers to ensure all sapphires are sourced through a fair and transparent supply chain.

Sapphires are a popular gemstone due to the spectrum of colours they come in. From traditional rich blue to pale azure, you can also find violet, yellow, green, teal, orange, pink... any colour except red.

Sapphires are part of the corundum family.

Red corundum is ruby, however there is no official classification for this. If you are looking for a red ruby or a pink sapphire, do broaden your search to look for both.

Nineteen48 sapphires are responsibly sourced from Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Many of Nineteen48's sapphires come directly from their own artisanal mine near Kuruwita. Others are sourced through a long-established network of local Sri Lankan miners, with whom strong and trusted relationships have been developed over the years.

Australian sapphires are supplied by Capricorn Gems and Malawi sapphires are provided by Fair Trade Gemstones.

Nineteen48, Capricorn Gems and Fair Trade Gemstones are members of the Ethical Gem Suppliers.

Tanzania has been a source of gemstones for decades. Most of the gem mining is either artisanal or small-scale (ASM). It is known for being the country where we find tanzanite, probably its most famous gemstone, which is much rarer than diamond. Other gemstones mined in Tanzania include sapphire, ruby, spinel and tsavorite garnet.

Miners often work in small teams using only hand tools, but there are also mines with some more advanced mechanisation. Gem mining has become an important part of the Tanzanian economy and mining overall is a significant employer, often providing income in communities where the opportunities to make a living are limited.

Gemstone mining in Tanzania is primarily overseen by the Ministry of Minerals and the Mining Commission, but there are also a number of other trade bodies and associations that represent the sector.