To confirm that all the gems we sell have been handled in accordance with Fair Trade Gems protocols, Columbia Gem House and Trigem Designs maintain complete chain of custody documentation for every gem.
This means that all international transactions and transfer of all goods and monies are handled in a legal and transparent manner.
All import and export is conducted in accordance with all local laws. Columbia Gem House requests that all shipments into the United States include an official invoice that shows real and accurate values.
The official invoice is also used to remit payment, by wire or bank check, to an official bank account supplied by the supplier.
Transparency of the supply chain and all transactions is important to prevent any possibility of money laundering or funds being transferred out of the producing country. The U.S. Patriot Act now also requires extensive additional documentation of import and export transactions involving valuable goods like gemstones.
