After nine intense weeks in Madagascar's southwestern mining regions, I'm pleased to report our expedition has yielded exceptional results beyond initial projections, particularly in the storied Ilakaka region.
This expedition wasn't merely about acquiring stones—it was about establishing sustainable relationships with local mining cooperatives and documenting the provenance of every significant acquisition. The quiet dedication of our field team allowed us unprecedented access to materials typically reserved for Asian markets.
Expedition Highlights:
- Ilakaka Basin: Recovered a remarkable 38.7 carat rough sapphire with exceptional color zoning—royal blue with purple flashes that will yield at least two investment-grade stones
- Sakaraha District: Established exclusive first-access rights with three independent mining groups, ensuring priority viewing of all specimens over 5 carats
- Ambatondrazaka: Secured a parcel of 17 untreated spinels with neon red fluorescence—a characteristic increasingly rare in today's market
What made this expedition particularly noteworthy was our documentation of a previously unreported sapphire pocket discovered in the northern extension of the Ilakaka fields. The material displays an unusual combination of saturated blue with natural golden zones—requiring no heat treatment to exhibit remarkable color play.
Three scenario clients joined this expedition remotely, each making committed funds available precisely when needed during critical acquisition moments in the field. This strategic partnership model proved invaluable, allowing for decisive action when exceptional specimens emerged. Each client pledged a non-refundable sum of USD 1,000 upon contract signing—acknowledging that this is serious sourcing work requiring meticulous planning, not a casual endeavor.
The commitment of these partners enabled us to secure priority access and negotiate favorable terms that would have been impossible otherwise. This serious approach to gemstone acquisition differentiates our process from typical buying trips and results in superior specimen quality and provenance documentation.
For our registry clients who participated remotely: your selected specimens have been securely transported to our Bangkok laboratory for certification and cutting. The preliminary evaluations suggest value appreciation potential exceeding 30% upon completion, particularly for the unheated specimens.
View Preliminary Collection Highlights →
Advanced client previewing begins November 15th. Registry members will receive their private viewing appointments by email next week, with full photographic documentation and laboratory certificates.
Posted October 31, 2024 | Expedition completed
From June 17 through August 4, I will be on the ground in two of the most critical regions in the gemstone world — sourcing directly from origin.
This tour isn't about travel photos or mine visits for the sake of show. It's about quiet fieldwork, trusted connections, and private acquisitions aligned with the goals of a few selected clients — all handled discreetly, securely, and with care.
Current Tour Regions:
- Colombia: Emeralds from the legendary Muzo and Chivor zones — old-mine holdings and direct estate access
- Brazil: Paraiba Tourmalines from historic and emerging sources — vivid blues and greens with low production windows
Clients are not traveling with me — but they are welcome to participate remotely. Your preferences help shape what I source, certify, and present upon return. You'll receive updates, preview stones, and full certification support.
This is a guided entry point into rare assets most never see at origin. If you've ever considered acquiring a cornerstone gemstone with real story and appreciation potential — this is the time to align.
Shape This Tour Around Your Goals →
More updates will be posted here as the tour progresses. I'll be sharing insights on regional activity, what's coming to market, and key acquisitions as they're confirmed.
Posted April 19, 2025 | Updated as tour begins
My recent two-week immersion in Thailand's Chanthaburi trading district has revealed notable shifts in the ruby market that present strategic opportunities for discerning collectors and investors.
This assessment trip focused exclusively on evaluating changing market dynamics and establishing new relationships with heritage traders who rarely interface with Western buyers. Our discretion and technical knowledge opened doors typically closed to casual market participants.
Key Market Insights:
- Mozambique Ruby Maturation: Premium Mozambican material from 2015-2017 production is finally emerging from Asian collections—presenting exceptional value propositions
- Treatment Transparency: Heritage dealers are now providing unprecedented disclosure on heat treatment parameters—vital for long-term value assessment
- Burmese Recirculation: Significant old-mine Burmese material is quietly changing hands as regional collectors rebalance portfolios
Of particular significance was our private viewing of three heritage collections containing documented Burmese material from the 1990s mining era—stones with provenance predating current trade restrictions and exhibiting the legendary "pigeon blood" color characteristics.
This assessment trip has positioned us perfectly for selective acquisitions in Q1 2025. For our registry clients interested in ruby investment, the current market conditions suggest an optimal entry point, particularly for stones in the 3-5 carat range with minimal treatment histories.
Download Full Market Assessment →
Registry clients will receive priority notification when specific acquisition opportunities emerge from these new relationships.
Posted December 22, 2024 | Market assessment completed
Week three in the Muzo region and the expedition has already yielded results far beyond our initial projections. The decision to arrive during the early summer rains has proven strategic – local production is up while most international buyers remain absent.
Access to three private cutting operations in Bogotá has given us first review of material that never reaches the open market. This isn't tourist gemology – it's calculated fieldwork with serious local partners who respect our technical standards and discretion.
Field Report Highlights:
- La Pita Mine Section: Secured viewing rights to a remarkable pocket discovered June 21 – material showing exceptional gota de aceite (oil drop) effect with minimal need for traditional enhancement
- Cunas Formation: Documented rare trapiche emerald rough with unusually distinct star pattern – currently negotiating for two museum-grade specimens
- Puerto Arturo Zone: Established connection with third-generation mining family holding material from a 2023 find kept entirely off market – deep bluish-green crystals in original calcite matrix
Most significant this week was our successful acquisition of three untreated emeralds (2.87ct, 3.12ct, 4.05ct) showing remarkable saturation with the distinctive Muzo bluish-green color profile. The specimens were secured through an advance commitment from our client registry at approximately 22% below standard market positioning for comparable material.
Working conditions remain challenging – persistent rain has made access to certain mining areas difficult, requiring additional local transportation arrangements and patience. Our field team's Spanish language proficiency has proven essential in navigating the complex local trading environment.
For participating registry clients: your allocated funds are being strategically deployed as exceptional specimens emerge. The current market dynamic favors decisive action, which your advance commitments have made possible.
View Current Acquisitions →
Transmission from field location – limited connectivity. Next update scheduled July 10 upon reaching Chivor region. Preliminary certification work for acquired specimens underway with local gemologist.
Posted July 5, 2025 | Field update via satellite connection
The targeted 27-day Muzo expedition has concluded with remarkable success. Operating with a single-client allocation of USD 103,500, our field team gained unprecedented access to material typically unavailable even to established buyers in the region.
This wasn't a standard sourcing trip – it was a precision operation designed around specific acquisition parameters from our client who participated entirely remotely, never setting foot in Colombia. The client's trust in our expertise was demonstrated through their commitment to release funds at pre-determined milestones throughout the expedition.
Key Acquisition Outcomes:
- Primary Acquisition: Secured the targeted 8.73ct octagonal-cut Muzo with exceptional clarity and the specific blue-green saturation requested – only minimal oil as expected for this caliber
- Secondary Acquisitions: Three matched pairs (2.1ct, 1.8ct, 1.5ct) from the same production pocket showing identical color characteristics – perfect for the client's custom jewelry commission
- Bonus Opportunity: Unexpected acquisition of a 5.56ct untreated specimen with remarkable crystalline structure intact on one side – museum quality with strong investment potential
The expedition benefited from extraordinary timing – we arrived just as a significant find from the Peñas Blancas section was being processed. Our client participated remotely through occasional video calls for critical decision points, but primarily relied on our judgment, with funds being made available precisely when needed for acquisitions. As agreed in our contract, 15% of the allocated budget (USD 15,525) was designated as our consulting fee for executing this specialized sourcing work.
The remote participation model proved highly effective – allowing the client to maintain their normal business operations while still directing a significant gemstone acquisition. Our daily field reports and secure image transmissions kept them informed without the logistical challenges, security concerns, and time commitment of personal travel to mining regions.
For our client: your investment allocation has been deployed with exceptional results. The acquired specimens are currently undergoing final certification with both Colombian and Swiss laboratories to establish the dual provenance documentation you requested. Secure transport to our Geneva facility has been arranged for April 15th.
Client Portal Access (Secure Login Required) →
All acquisition documentation and certification processes are proceeding as scheduled. Detailed valuation assessment will be provided during our private presentation on April 26th.
Posted April 11, 2023 | Expedition completed - Final Report
After an intensive and often challenging four-month presence in Sri Lanka during a period of unprecedented political and economic instability, our extended field operation has concluded with exceptional success. Despite the volatile conditions, we maintained continuous sourcing operations while most international buyers evacuated the region.
This expedition focused exclusively on premium rough material – blue, padparadscha, and yellow sapphires – requiring advanced expertise in rough evaluation seldom found in typical gemstone operations. Six clients participated remotely throughout the expedition, with none traveling to Sri Lanka due to the heightened security concerns.
Expedition Overview:
- Total Acquisition Value: USD 375,000 combined client allocation deployed across all rough sapphire varieties
- Primary Focus: Heat-treatable blue rough from Ratnapura and Balangoda regions showing exceptional color potential
- Specialty Acquisition: Seven significant padparadscha rough specimens displaying the characteristic pink-orange hues before cutting
- Strategic Opportunity: Substantial parcel of premium yellow sapphire rough at approximately 30% below market value due to most buyers leaving during civil unrest
The political turmoil proved paradoxically advantageous from a sourcing perspective. As international protests erupted and the national economic crisis deepened, many miners and dealers became increasingly motivated to liquidate premium material that would normally be held for years. Our established local relationships and willingness to remain on-ground while maintaining appropriate security protocols provided unprecedented access.
All acquired rough was processed at our dedicated lapidary center in Sri Lanka – a critical advantage that allowed for real-time cutting decisions optimized for each stone's unique crystalline structure. Remote clients participated via secure video sessions for major cutting decisions, while releasing funds at pre-arranged intervals as specified in our sourcing contracts, with the standard 15% consulting fee applying to all transactions.
Field conditions were exceptionally challenging throughout – daily power outages, fuel shortages, and occasional civil disturbances required constant adaptation of our security and operational protocols. Our local team's expertise proved invaluable in navigating both physical security concerns and increasingly complex banking restrictions.
For our participating clients: your remotely-directed acquisitions have yielded exceptional value. The custom-cut finished stones are currently undergoing final certification and secure transport arrangements to our distribution hub in Singapore, avoiding the banking complications currently affecting Sri Lanka.
View Final Acquisition Portfolio →
A complete expedition assessment including market analysis and future acquisition recommendations will be provided to participating clients during our scheduled video presentation on June 15th.
Posted May 28, 2022 | Field Operation Completed
The intensive two-month expedition across Madagascar's most challenging terrain has concluded with exceptional results across all targeted gemstone varieties. Our team traversed the difficult eastern coastal regions, southern provinces, and central highlands—areas rarely accessed by traditional buying operations.
This expedition required extensive off-road travel, makeshift accommodation in remote mining communities, and persistent negotiation with local miners who rarely interact with international buyers. Four clients participated remotely, directing funds at critical acquisition moments without navigating the logistical complexities of Madagascar's underdeveloped infrastructure.
Regional Acquisition Results:
- Eastern Coast (Andilamena): Located exceptional ruby rough with minimal inclusions—unusually clean material requiring only standard heat treatment to achieve premium color saturation
- Southern Region (Bekily): Acquired significant rubellite tourmaline crystals showing the electric pink-red coloration rarely seen in commercial channels
- Central Highlands (near Antananarivo): Secured a remarkable parcel of alexandrite rough exhibiting exceptional color change from blue-green to purple-red under different lighting conditions
The most significant achievement was establishing direct relationships with miners at the Andilamena ruby site, bypassing multiple layers of local traders. This required four days of difficult travel via modified 4x4 vehicles and motorbikes through seasonally flooded terrain. Our persistence was rewarded with first access to a new ruby pocket discovered in late September, yielding material with exceptional transparency characteristics uncommon in Madagascar sources.
Security challenges were persistent throughout the expedition, particularly in the southern regions where formal banking infrastructure remains minimal. Our local security team proved essential for safely transporting acquisition capital and securing specimens in transit between regions. Remote clients released funds according to our pre-established milestone schedule, maintaining the standard 15% consulting fee structure for our specialized sourcing services.
All acquired materials were documented with extensive field photography, GPS location data, and on-site preliminary testing before being transported to our secure facility in Antananarivo for final assessment. Remote clients participated in key assessment sessions via satellite communication when connectivity allowed.
For our participating clients: your strategic allocations have resulted in acquisitions significantly below market values for comparable material. The distinctive character of the alexandrite alone—with its remarkable color change visible even in rough form—represents exceptional value unlikely to be replicated in standard market conditions.
View Expedition Results →
Complete documentation packages including origin photographs, rough-to-cut progression imagery, and certification reports are being prepared for delivery by December 15th.
Posted November 25, 2019 | Expedition Completed
