Behind The Beauty

Boggs Jewelers obtains gems from many sources. Rio Grande is one from whom we buy for our custom jewelry. The American Mined™ Collection offers faceted stones, beads, and cabochons ethically sourced in the United States by companies who share Rio Grande’s pledge to the planet. The result is a collection of high-quality gems with a clear, document-able path from the mine to your jeweler’s bench.

Every gemstone in the American Mined™ Collection has been chosen specifically for its quality, clarity, and presentation of color. And because Rio Grande gemologists travel to the very mines from which these stones originate, jewelers and their customers can be confident that every stone is mined, cut, and processed under conditions that meet all standards for worker safety, environmental protection, and responsible production.

“As gemstone buyers, we obviously love colored gemstones,” says Becky Scheffler, a supply manager for Rio Grande. “We travel the world to visit faceters and cutters. But visiting a mine site is something new. And I think it is important. Knowing where a gemstone is mined is an important step forward for us.”

Visiting Sunstone Butte Mine and the Oregon couple behind Rio Grande’s American Mined™ Oregon Sunstones™, Becky received a lesson in the formation of sunstone, which forms naturally in volcanic conditions. Spending a day in the hot sun, sifting and sorting cinder cone in search of crystals, gave her newfound respect for the process that goes into finding each and every sunstone in shades of shimmering peachy pink and delicate champagne.

The importance of this and other mine site experiences cannot be overstated. “We listen to our customers, and we know people crave transparency in the supply lines of their materials,” Becky says. Visiting these mines in person is the first crucial step toward building a more transparent supply chain.

Ethical Sourcing

As customers and jewelers alike prioritize ethical sourcing, and the popularity of colored stones continues to grow, so too does the American Mined Collection, offering gemstones in the full spectrum of colors. This collection includes the fiery red of Lake County Fire Opal™ from Oregon; the incredible clarity of Arkansas Ice Quartz™ mined in Blue Springs, Ark.; the saturated pink of Rodeo Queen Ruby™ from the eastern foothills of Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains; several stunning shades of American Mined™ turquoise; and so much more. As Rio Grande continues to develop relationships with enterprising miners across the United States, we continue to unearth the beauty of these American treasures.

Take a journey from coast to coast and peer into the mines producing these exceptional gemstones with this video from Rio Grande.

Boggs Jewelers can use your own gems to create custom jewelry designs just for you! Learn more by clicking here.

If you have questions for Boggs Jewelers please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.