During Gem Collector's breaks, there used to be loads of VTs talking about the Colourful Life Foundation. Apparently this was set up by Gemporia to help the mining communities. I was curious to see if they were still doing any such thing and I found out that the charity's accounts are 348 days overdue!!!!! What are your thoughts on this?
Colourful Life Foundation
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TheManWithNoName
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When they were struggling, Gemporias accounts showed that '£0' had been donated.
The CLF was Steve's thing really - so I suspect that went off the radar of Gemporia once Steve handed the business over to employees.
My second ever purchase from Gems TV in October 2012 was this Samburu bracelet:
The product detail includes this statement: "For every piece sold, £6 will be donated back to the community. This is in addition to the salaries we have already provided for making the pieces."
I distinctly remember that this was a Steve Bennett presentation and is one of the reasons that I stayed with Gems TV. When he set up the CLF, bringing in other entrepreneurs such as Branson, I was impressed. It was also Steve who got me buying jewellery with his presentation on the rhodolite garnet from India that he marketed as "Rajasthan Garnet', with all the details of cutting schools, kids schools etc.
I still wear the bracelet but, these days, it can trigger feelings of sad nostalgia.
The product detail includes this statement: "For every piece sold, £6 will be donated back to the community. This is in addition to the salaries we have already provided for making the pieces."
I distinctly remember that this was a Steve Bennett presentation and is one of the reasons that I stayed with Gems TV. When he set up the CLF, bringing in other entrepreneurs such as Branson, I was impressed. It was also Steve who got me buying jewellery with his presentation on the rhodolite garnet from India that he marketed as "Rajasthan Garnet', with all the details of cutting schools, kids schools etc.
I still wear the bracelet but, these days, it can trigger feelings of sad nostalgia.
Ah, the Rajasthan Garnet, that brings back memories! Those were the good old days in Gemporia. Steve definitely had a knack for getting people interested and engaged in what he was selling. What a pity it had to change.
TheManWithNoName
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I was surprised Steve always made his connections with Branson so public. Branson is a VERY divisive figure that could put people off rather than attracting people.
Personally I despise Branson.
Steve claims to want to 'Save the NHS' - yet didn't his mate, Branson, sue the NHS for something like £2m?
Didn't Branson also plead poverty during Covid, seeking a £500m government bailout for his airline company, despite the BBC alleging that he hasn't paid any personal taxes in the UK for 14 years because his residence is reported as being in the British Virgin Islands?
Anyway, getting back on topic........
Although Gemporia don't publicise the Colourful Life Foundation much, if at all, these days, they also haven't made it clear that there are little, if any, donations made to the charity either - so I do think they should clarify that situation to avoid any confusion.
I also think they need to lay off the claims that they "cut out the middleman" and "ethically source" gemstones too - because they're quite open about the fact that many of their gemstone purchases these days are at places like the Tucson gem show and the Hong Kong gem show. Its not 'cutting out the middleman' if they're buying from a trader at a trade show. Also, I think Yianni might have something to say about Gemporia's relationship with Gemfields/Faberge and 'ethical sourcing'. Hint: Yianni refers to them as 'Bloodfields'.
Personally I despise Branson.
Steve claims to want to 'Save the NHS' - yet didn't his mate, Branson, sue the NHS for something like £2m?
Didn't Branson also plead poverty during Covid, seeking a £500m government bailout for his airline company, despite the BBC alleging that he hasn't paid any personal taxes in the UK for 14 years because his residence is reported as being in the British Virgin Islands?
Anyway, getting back on topic........
Although Gemporia don't publicise the Colourful Life Foundation much, if at all, these days, they also haven't made it clear that there are little, if any, donations made to the charity either - so I do think they should clarify that situation to avoid any confusion.
I also think they need to lay off the claims that they "cut out the middleman" and "ethically source" gemstones too - because they're quite open about the fact that many of their gemstone purchases these days are at places like the Tucson gem show and the Hong Kong gem show. Its not 'cutting out the middleman' if they're buying from a trader at a trade show. Also, I think Yianni might have something to say about Gemporia's relationship with Gemfields/Faberge and 'ethical sourcing'. Hint: Yianni refers to them as 'Bloodfields'.
