Why we cut gemstones in Nigeria
Most Nigerian stones leave the country rough and come back as someone else’s margin. Our lapidary operation exists to close that gap.
Nigeria supplies a significant share of the world’s coloured gemstones and captures a fraction of their value. The reason is simple: most stones leave rough.
Two gaps, not one
The first gap is processing — a rough stone sells for a fraction of what the same stone sells for cut, graded and certified. The second gap is upstream and less discussed: crude extraction damages material before it ever reaches a cutter. A fractured stone cannot be recovered by good lapidary work.
We work on both. We control extraction so stones survive intact, and we finish them here so the value stays here. Across our processed volume that has meant roughly three times the value captured domestically compared with exporting rough.
What that looks like in practice
- Sourcing with documentation and ethical verification
- Gemological analysis before any cut is planned
- Cut planning with 3D modelling to minimise waste
- Certification and detailed grading before shipment
The stones go to buyers in more than 15 countries. They go cut.