Matthew Morrell - managing director.

Matthew founded boutique coloured gemstone and artisan-to-artisan diamond wholesaler Direct Source Gems in 2012, trading full time after apprenticing with a well known gemstone merchant and lapidary in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2013.

Matthew is a coloured gemstone and diamond merchant, political scientist, economist and writer with a background in corporate and public affairs. This affords him a unique vantage point.

An HRD Antwerp Graduate Gemmologist, trained valuer (National Association of Jewellers), scuba diving instructor he holds a degree in political science with economics from the University of Bath.

He is passionate about people, planet and the romance of the jewel. And concerned about the perpetuation of myths, misperceptions around artisanal coloured gemstone mining and trading, much of which goes unchallenged.

His background, wanderlust and spirit of adventure drew him to the business after an early career in journalism and corporate consulting in London and Brussels from where he specialised, as an early pioneer of corporate social responsibility, in identifying and anatomising changing societal expectations towards environmental, social and governance issues for multinational natural resources firms, agriculture/food and fast moving consumer goods brands.

An expert on buying rough gems at source, gemstone manufacturing and valuation, Matthew also conducts bespoke research, field work, writes and edits reports, writes articles, and runs workshops for individuals and organisations seeking to better understand the coloured gemstone value chain, on the ground realities in producer countries and changing consumer expectations to develop evidence-based policy, innovate positioning and strategy, strengthen operations, sales, marketing and procurement.

“What we achieve as an industry is truly remarkable. Our strength lies in diversity, tolerance, respect, and shared purpose. That’s how we lift ourselves and others up.”