Behind the Scenes
Founded by Nora Saul, Terra Flora specialises in gemstone tours, ethically sourced gemstones, and bespoke jewellery. Drawing on generations of experience in East Africa’s gemstone industry, the company provides clients with direct insight into the origins, sourcing, and craftsmanship behind each stone. Through curated travel experiences and custom jewellery services, Terra Flora connects clients to the people and places that define the region’s mineral heritage.
A Passion for Gemstones
Born in Tanzania and fluent in English, French, and Kiswahili, Nora grew up surrounded by the gemstone industry, gaining an early appreciation for both the stones themselves and the people, cultures, and landscapes from which they come.
She represents the third—and perhaps fourth—generation of a family deeply connected to East Africa’s gemstone history. Her great-grandfather was involved in the early marketing of tanzanite following its discovery. Her grandfather, the renowned geologist and author John Saul, was the first geologist on site at the discovery of tanzanite in Mererani, Tanzania, in 1967. He later discovered the ruby deposit that became known as the John Saul Ruby Mine in Kenya and discovered the world’s first colour-change garnet in Tanzania. Continuing this legacy, her father—a French-American gemologist born in Nairobi, Kenya—has spent more than three decades sourcing and trading gemstones throughout East Africa.
In 2023, Nora earned her Graduate Gemologist credential from the Gemological Institute of America, complementing a lifetime of industry experience with formal training and a contemporary perspective on the gemstone trade.
Terra Flora—Latin for “Flower of the Earth”—was founded on the belief that understanding a gemstone’s origin adds depth and meaning to its beauty. Through immersive gem tours and safaris across Tanzania and East Africa, clients are invited to experience the journey of a gemstone firsthand, from the landscapes where it is found to the communities and expertise that bring it to market.
Terra Flora provides access to parts of East Africa’s gemstone industry that are rarely seen by visitors—from the ruby mines of Longido to the tanzanite mining communities of Mererani. Along the way, guests have the opportunity to meet miners, traders, cutters, and local community members, gaining a deeper understanding of the journey each gemstone takes from source to market.
These experiences are made possible through Terra Flora’s longstanding relationships with local guides, drivers, mining professionals, and community partners, offering an authentic perspective on the region’s gemstone heritage.
The result is more than a traditional tour or jewellery purchase. Clients leave with a richer understanding of the people, places, and expertise behind the gemstones they encounter, creating a connection that extends far beyond the stone itself.
Join the Journey