Gemstones Traceability Certificate

The future of gemstone ownership

Introduction

For the past decade I have personally focused on upstream trading and research in coloured gemstones. My understanding of the market led me to an idea that I’ve long held and for which I now feel the time has come; namely a Gemstones Traceability Certificate programme based on the uniqueness of a gemstone which traces the gemstones from upstream to the final buyer.

There have been limited attempt at this in the past, but they have relied on forms of numerical tagging or external coding, rather than the uniqueness of the gemstone itself, and have focused on identification not also the history from upstream to final buyer.

The New Traceability Product

It is the natural inclusions within coloured gemstones which solves the overall coding problem and provides irrefutable lifelong data. Providing scientific and narrative traceability for gemstones, whilst increasing their identifiability. Even if the gemstone is lost, it can be found by tracing its origin records.

The KELLY GEMS International platform (Gemstones Traceability Certificate) provides comprehensive data on coloured gemstones and jewellery, documenting a gemstones entire history. From its natural codes (inclusions) to transition from nature to human intervention the information will include scientific origin traceability, elemental content, detailed photographs of artificial and natural inclusions (which serve as signature codes), origin descriptions, special visible characteristics, and narrative transaction histories. In addition, there will be a register of the owner's information (anonymity of owner name can be selected for added safety and security), all gemstone lab certificates, from gemstone through to jewellery, records each transaction, export records and even documenting auctions, until final comsumer.

The Gemstones Traceability Certificate will be constantly updated, at an owners instigation, with new information. The certificate can be continuously recorded and retained indefinitely into the future through blockchain.

As I first set out in October/November 2025 the uniqueness of this idea, and what sets it apart from other interventionalist records, is that the primary basis for recording and registering a gemstone is the inclusions within the gemstone itself, its own uniqueness. It does not rely on some form of DNA “tagging”, or similar, that has been tried to limited success previously. Some inclusions are visible to the naked eye, while the internal inclusions are recorded and analysed using instruments such as microscopes, and then all that unique data is entered into a secure database system, and a Gemstone Traceability Certificate is issued.

Immediate Benefits

The benefits such a system will bring can be broken down by market sectors:

Benefit for Sri Lanka

· Using the inclusions photographs and recording this in a database will provide proof an end customer owns the gemstone. Thereby reducing the risk of theft and aiding recovery if lost.

· Increase international buyers' trust in Sri Lankan gemstones in the supply chain thereby driving up demand.

· Buyers are more likely to work with Sri Lankan suppliers when the risks are lower, and the sources are clearly verified.

· Responsible sourcing, by establishing a transparent and trustworthy gemstone supply chain, Sri Lanka stands to gain significantly.

· Long-Term Partnerships, buyers can build stable, lasting relationships with compliant suppliers, leading to reliable supply chains.

· Enhanced National Branding, Sri Lanka can position itself as a trusted source of ethically mined gemstones, boosting her international reputation.

· Entry into the High-End Sustainable Luxury Market, demand for traceable and ethically sourced gems is growing, especially in European fine Jewellery industries.

· Premium Pricing Potential, when gemstones can be proven to come from responsible mining with full traceability international buyers are often more willing to pay a premium.

· Becoming the First Country to Establish a Coloured Gemstone Traceability System.

The wider world of gem and jewellery

· Regulatory Compliance Pressure - Markets like the U.S. and the EU require transparency in the supply chain.

Example:

EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) effective from July 2024, provides a 3-year transition period for legislation and corporate adaptation.

· International brands and retailers must be able to prove their supply chains are free from unethical sourcing or face legal and reputational risks.

· Sourced, certified gemstones.

· Brand Value & Market Differentiation, brands are making “traceable and responsibly sourced” gemstones a key marketing feature to enhance product value and to stand out in a competitive market.

· Auction houses and insurance companies are willing to invest in this project to increase the reliable digitization of data from all sources, provided by reputable companies. Further use in estate distribution and bank mortgages

The end customer

· Clear provenance providing peace of mind and increased insurability.

· Easy collection and management (includes all authentication certificates).

· Proof of ownership (secure, confidential ownership record)

· Reduced risk of theft (all gemstones have inclusion records; even after polishing and cutting, it can be confirmed whether they are the same gemstone).

· Records Electronically stored so risk of certificate loss is reduced.

Potential Markets

Some but not all of the potential markets for this unique new approach are:

· Insurance companies- removed ambiguity as to a gemstone’s history.

· Resale, clean chain establishing historic values of the gem.

· Auctions, added value at auction – Traceability Certificate adds certainty.

· Inheritance rights – removed doubt as to how a gemstone has been acquired.

Project Launch - February 2026

Sri Lanka will be the first testing point (the hardest part) and in the future Hong Kong and markets beyond.

We officially Launch on the 17th February ²026, at a launch event in Beruwala Sir Lanka, where I am delighted to have Daniel Nyfeler, the managing director of Gübelin as our chief guest.

I must extend my thanks to Daniel and the wider Gübelin family. I first set out this project to them in October / November 2025 followed by lots of online discussions and meeting in Beijing and Luzern. It was they that have kindly provided the seed loan funding, blockchain technology, and despite me offering them rights in the project they refused, Gübelin view this project as a CSR obligation, and I thank them for that.

Conclusion

Because end customers will more and more demand certainty of their rights from jewellery and gemstone providers a provenance certificate containing authentication results, origin, historical background, and unique unquestionable identity verification, will by its very nature provide reassurance and drive growth. Ultimately, as more gemstones are registered in the system, the theft rate will decrease.

This a shortened overview and I will be happy to provide further details on request.

Kelly Liu

Managing Director

KELLY GEMS International Pvt Limited

Sri Lanka 17 February 2026