OUR STORY
Transforming Lives Through Creativity
Like all good African stories, this story begins with a safari. ln 1984 while on holiday at Chibembe Lodge in South Luangwa National Park the intrepid and youthful Ross Walker with his equally resourceful wife Claire Chan heard of aquamarine deposits in the adjoining Lukusuzi Game Park.
Discovering Gemstones
Intrigued, the couple had to investigate. Coming across the rivulets of blue Ross and Claire were awestruck by the beauty of the stone. With little idea of its value, they partnered and invested acquiring 49% in a Zambian owned aquamarine mine. Three priorities were established. The first was to develop a relationship with the local miners and prospectors. The second to teach the local community the true value of their natural resource by introducing German made scales thereby raising their awareness of price per gram. This changed the modus operandi as during that time bags of gems were commonly traded for sacks of salt and maize, The third was to financially incentivise by paying more per gram of aquamarine than the market value. With Ross’s words “we can pay you 10 times the market value that you get from ivory on the illegal black market for a stone you can fit in your pocket,” overnight turned “poachers into prospectors,” and Jagoda a fine jewellery company was established.
Working on the ground provided the couple with a multi focal lens. Observing the harassment endured by the local village miners from the different echelons desiring self-gain and the hindering red tape, solutions had to be found. Firstly, a change in the Mines and Minerals Act of 1995. Secondly in consultation with the World Bank, Jagoda began to advocate for change arguing for the rights of artisanal miners to stake a claim at his local boma. This proved a pivotal moment. Instead of having to apply for a mining licence and forming a company, local miners now had their livelihood and legal security ensured. Jagoda’s sales flowed catching the eye of the European Union. Consulting for them, Jagoda led artisanal miners and gem dealers to the world’s largest gem shows in Hong Kong, China and Tucson, Arizona. ln essence, local miners could now be authors of their own destiny, and incredibly some did just that secure in their knowledge that their gems are of the highest quality and deserve nothing less than the market price.
Creating a Sustainable Business
The beating of the bush drums breeds its own network. While buying mining equipment the couple heard stories of a pink mineral deposit in Mkushi/Serenje area, Central Zambia, a region known more for its farming than its gemstones. Turning their attention to tourmalines, in the early 90s the Jagoda mine was acquired in Mkushi. Based on the strength of Claire’s drawings, the search for the “pink candy floss mountain” ensued. Two years later, a member of the prospecting team arrived at the Jagoda boutique, a large bag of stones in hand. Upon its opening, pink tourmalines rare in both quality and size spilled out. Acknowledged by the Gemmological lnstitute of America (GlA) as one of the world’s major tourmaline deposits, this find puts Zambia on the map.
The company’s founders had the foresight to realise that Zambia’s future would not rest on raw materials and that to ensure sustainability, the potential of local artistic talent and craftsmanship needed to be unleashed. With income generated from Jagoda, an all-purpose building was constructed incorporating the 37D Gallery which showcases emerging and established Zambian artists. Adopting a dualistic approach visual art practice is exhibited and promoted through exhibitions at the gallery. ln collaboration with like-minded friends the stART Foundation was created. lts mission is to support under privileged children and finance university education for high achieving Zambians. One hundred percent of all commissions support and sustain the stART Foundation Trust. Form field to finger, from mine to market, Jagoda’s cornmercial and humanitarian efforts deserve to be recognised. Ingenious interrelationships with the arts, the gem stone market and education ensures continuity allowing both adults and children to define who we are and take our place with a passport for the future.
