“By uncovering more ‘hidden gems,’ we want to eliminate the word ‘worthless’ from the world.”
Kishun Co. Ltd. of Japan is helping shake up the jewelry industry by uncovering treasure troves of used gemstones that were once considered worthless.
Kishun recycles and refurbishes previously discarded precious stones into valuable and stylish products, mainly for the B2B market, according to Shun Tsuji, president of the company.
As the jewelry sector in Japan experiences sustained growth, the firm hopes to capitalize on its upscaling expertise while developing new sources of suitable gems, coining the term “urban mines” for expansive secondhand markets.
Kishun is also looking to recruit more and more qualified appraisal staff to help keep up with this rising demand.
“The quality of secondhand goods in Japan is excellent. We have experienced several waves of popularity in this market. However, the current boom is unprecedented,” said Tsuji.
