In May 2017, Greenland Ruby A/S officially opened its ruby and pink sapphire mining operation in Aappaluttoq, in southwest Greenland, 160 kilometers south of Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. Greenland Ruby was awarded a mining and exploration license by the Greenlandic government in 2016 and is the only gemstone mine in Greenland

The first official geological survey of the region where Greenland Ruby’s gems are found was done in the summer of 1966, when gem quality ruby material was recorded on a small island at the head of the Tasiussarssuaq fjord. At the time, the island had no name, but today it’s called Ruby Island. Greenland Ruby’s deposit in Aappaluttoq, meaning RED in Greenlandic was named after the extraordinary amounts of ruby crystals found in the rock.

Mine construction started in 2014 and the site is accessed via a small port built nearby that brings heavy equipment necessary to work under extreme arctic conditions. A heliport that provides helicopter shuttle service for employees and provisions.

The ruby bearing rock is processed at our ultra-modern, state-of-the-art cleaning and sorting operation at the mine site. The rock is first crushed; then hand sorted, a DMS (dense media separation) and optical sorter is used to separate ruby rich rocks from waste. Final sorting is done in Nuuk, at Greenland Ruby’s headquarters.

The current Aappaluttoq mine site is estimated to have at least 10-years-worth of gem-quality ruby and pink sapphire material, ensuring consistency of supply for jewelry assortments and collections. Greenland Ruby is also exploring two neighboring mining locations.

Greenland Ruby markets and sells its gemstones through a system of preferred partners, who carry forward the Greenland Ruby branding message to retailers and consumers. The company works with designers, brands, and large manufacturers that are looking for a consistent supply of ruby and pink sapphire for jewelry assortment and collection needs.

RubyCloud™ is Greenland Ruby’s virtual marketplace where thousands or rubies and pink sapphires can be accessed by gem and jewelry professionals only.