Where My Gemstones Come From: A Valltasy Sourcing Map

KEY TAKEAWAYS

My Ethiopian Opals come from the Welo region, known for the most vivid color play in the world
Moonstones are sourced from India and Madagascar, Emeralds from Zambia, and Tourmalines from Brazil and Afghanistan
Every stone is hand-selected by me for color quality, clarity, and character before it enters my workshop
Building long-term relationships with trusted suppliers means consistent quality in every piece I make

What’s Inside

Why Origin Matters to Me
Ethiopian Opal: The Welo Region
Moonstone From India and Madagascar, Emerald From Zambia
Sapphire, Tourmaline, Labradorite, and More
Gemstone Sourcing FAQ

Why Origin Matters to Me

I’ve always believed that gemstone sourcing, knowing where your gemstones come from, adds something meaningful to the jewelry you wear. When you put on a bracelet and know the Opals are from the Welo mountains in Ethiopia, or the Emeralds are from Zambia, the piece carries a story that goes beyond its beauty.

This isn’t a post about ethical sourcing practices (I have a separate guide for that). This is a personal look behind the scenes at where my gemstones actually come from, what makes each origin special, and how I choose which stones make it into my jewelry.

Over the years, I’ve built relationships with gem dealers and cutters who share my standards for quality and honesty. These relationships are the backbone of my work. When I find a great source, I hold onto it, and that consistency is what my customers can see and feel in every piece. Let me take you on a tour of my sourcing map.

Ethiopian Opal: The Welo Region

My Ethiopian Opals come from the Wollo Province (often called Welo), a region in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. These mountains produce some of the most vivid, fiery Opals on the planet. The play of color in Welo Opals is simply on another level compared to most other sources.

What I look for in Ethiopian Opals is what I call “non-stop fire.” I want stones where the color play is visible from almost every angle, not just one narrow flash. The best Welo Opals show reds, greens, blues, and oranges all dancing across the stone simultaneously. When I find a batch like that, it makes my whole week.

Ethiopian Opals are natural and untreated. The color you see is exactly what nature created. No heat treatment, no chemical enhancement, no dye. What you see is what you get, and what you get is special.

💬 WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY

“The Labradorite necklace, bracelet and earrings are breathtaking! Quite possibly my favorite pieces. The quality of the stones you choose is remarkable.”

– Karen, on the Twilight Queen Labradorite Necklace

Solid Gold 14K Labradorite Necklace, Bold Blue Labradorite Beaded Necklace

Moonstone From India and Madagascar, Emerald From Zambia

Rainbow Moonstone from India: My Moonstones come primarily from southern India, which produces the best Rainbow Moonstone in the world. Indian Moonstones have that distinctive blue adularescence (the floating blue glow) that makes them so magical. The finest ones show strong blue flash across the entire surface, and those are the ones I select for my pieces.

Moonstone from Madagascar: India isn’t my only Moonstone source. I also bring in Moonstone from Madagascar, and these stones have their own personality. They tend to show a cooler, more silvery sheen alongside that same soft glow, and some flash orange and pink too, so a single stone can show almost a full rainbow inside. Having both origins means I can pick whichever character suits the design in front of me.

Emerald from Zambia: While Colombian Emeralds get most of the attention, Zambian Emeralds are a gem world treasure. They tend to have a slightly cooler, more blue-green tone compared to the warm yellow-green of Colombian stones, and they often have better clarity. I love the depth and richness of Zambian Emeralds, and they’re what I use in my Emerald designs.

All of these sources have been consistent for me over the years, and the quality I receive from my trusted suppliers is always excellent.

Sapphire, Tourmaline, Labradorite, and More

Here’s a quick tour of where the rest of my favorite gemstones come from:

Sapphire (various origins): I source Sapphires from Sri Lanka (Ceylon Sapphires, known for their vivid blue), Madagascar (excellent pink and blue), and occasionally Montana, USA. Each origin produces slightly different color characteristics.
Tourmaline (Brazil, Afghanistan): Brazilian Tourmaline gives me the vivid pinks, greens, and watermelon varieties. Afghan Tourmaline produces some of the finest indicolite blue-green and mint Tourmalines I’ve ever seen.
Labradorite (Madagascar): Almost all of my Labradorite comes from Madagascar, which produces stones with extraordinary blue flash. The best pieces show full-face labradorescence that catches light from every angle.
Topaz (Brazil): Brazilian Topaz is the world standard. I primarily use Blue Topaz (London Blue, Swiss Blue, Sky Blue) and the natural imperial Topaz from Ouro Preto.
Peridot (various): Good Peridot comes from Arizona (USA), Pakistan, and Myanmar. I look for stones with that characteristic olive-green glow and excellent clarity.

“When I hold a new batch of gemstones for the first time, I feel the same excitement I felt when I started this work. Every stone has a story, and I get to be the one who brings it to life.”

COMMON QUESTIONS

Gemstone Sourcing FAQ

Are all your gemstones natural and untreated?

The vast majority are natural and untreated. Some gemstones in the industry are commonly heated or irradiated to improve color (this is standard and accepted for Sapphire, and for Blue Topaz). When a stone has been treated in any way, I note it in the product description. I never use dyed, synthetic, or lab-created stones.

How do you choose which stones to use?

I hand-select every stone that goes into my jewelry. I look at color saturation, clarity, the quality of any optical effects (flash, fire, glow), and how well the stone is cut. I reject far more stones than I accept. Only the ones that genuinely excite me make it into my workshop.

Can I request a specific origin for a custom piece?

In some cases, yes. For gemstones like Sapphire where origin significantly affects color, I can sometimes source stones from a specific region. Visit my custom orders page and let me know your preferences. I’ll be upfront about what’s possible.

Do you visit the mines yourself?

I don’t visit mines directly, but I work with established gem dealers who have long-standing, verified relationships with mining operations. These dealers have been vetted over years of working together, and I trust the quality and ethics of what they provide. Transparency is important to me at every step.

SEE THE COLORS OF THE WORLD