SourcingFeb 23, 2022
Tourmaline by the Ton: Maine Museum Celebrates ‘The Big Find’ 50 Years LaterSourcingMar 07, 2022
New ‘Holy Gems’ Collection Showcases Stones Mined in Israel
Parent company Shefa In Israel Ltd. holds the country’s only permits and licenses for the exploration and mining of gems.
Holy Gems’ “Inlaid with Sacred Love” ring features red garnet and diamonds in 18-karat gold ($25,000)
Netanya, Israel—A new jewelry collection has launched to showcase and market the colored gemstones now being mined in Israel.
According to Tali Shalem, CEO of Shefa In Israel Ltd., the journey has been some time in the making.
In the late 1980s, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century, told the then-mayor of Haifa, Israel that there were precious stones in northern Israel yet to be uncovered.
Abraham (Avi) Taub, who started his career in the diamond industry in the 1960s at his father’s diamond polishing company, eventually learned about Schneerson’s proclamation and decided to act on it.
He established Shefa in Israel Ltd. in 1998 to begin exploration and mining.
Taub died from cancer in late 2019. Five months later, in March 2020, Shefa received an official discovery certificate from the supervisor of mines in the State of Israel for its first economic mine of precious gemstones.
Shefa now holds exclusive exploration permits for approximately 470,000 dunams (or about 116,140 acres) in northern Israel. Its focus is on two projects—Mount Carmel, with several potential primary deposits, and the Kishon Reach, an alluvial deposit.
The company said it is the sole holder of permits and licenses for precious gems exploration and mining in Israel.
See: Holy Gems’ Jewelry with Israel-Mined Stones
According to Tali Shalem, CEO of Shefa In Israel Ltd., the journey has been some time in the making.
In the late 1980s, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century, told the then-mayor of Haifa, Israel that there were precious stones in northern Israel yet to be uncovered.
Abraham (Avi) Taub, who started his career in the diamond industry in the 1960s at his father’s diamond polishing company, eventually learned about Schneerson’s proclamation and decided to act on it.
He established Shefa in Israel Ltd. in 1998 to begin exploration and mining.
Taub died from cancer in late 2019. Five months later, in March 2020, Shefa received an official discovery certificate from the supervisor of mines in the State of Israel for its first economic mine of precious gemstones.
Shefa now holds exclusive exploration permits for approximately 470,000 dunams (or about 116,140 acres) in northern Israel. Its focus is on two projects—Mount Carmel, with several potential primary deposits, and the Kishon Reach, an alluvial deposit.
The company said it is the sole holder of permits and licenses for precious gems exploration and mining in Israel.
See: Holy Gems’ Jewelry with Israel-Mined Stones
A selection of the new corundum found in Israel, called “Carmel sapphire” because of its origin on Mount Carmel
“The Regal Majesty” ring with Carmel sapphire, garnet, and diamond in 18-karat gold ($195,000)
This is “The Appearance of Heavens” necklace, with Carmel sapphire and diamond in 18-karat gold ($82,000).
“The Royal Earrings” are set with sapphire and diamond in 18-karat gold ($39,000)
Found gemstones include diamond, natural moissanite, sapphire—including new material they have dubbed “Carmel sapphire”—ruby, garnet, hibonite, spinel, ilmenite, zircon, and rutile.
Carmel sapphire is a corundum that has inclusions of a new mineral called carmeltazite, discovered in 2014 by Shefa and named the International Mineralogical Association’s 2018 Mineral of the Year. So far it has only been found on Mount Carmel in Israel.
Overall production numbers have been small so far, Shefa said, including fewer than 100 carats of sapphire, approximately 200 carats of spinel, fewer than 200 carats of garnet, and fewer than 200 carats of Carmel sapphire.
But Shalem said they believe there are millions of carats in their licensing area.
To showcase and market these Israel-mined gemstones, the company has launched a jewelry collection called Holy Gems.
The inaugural Holy Gems jewelry collection, created from the first commercial gems found in the Kishon mine, features 101 one-of-a-kind, numbered, high-end pieces.
Its classic designs from Michaella Taub were inspired by Bible verses about Israel to connect the designs to the story behind and uniqueness of the stones, the company said.
See: More Pieces from Holy Gems
“The Midst of the Sea” ring, with sapphire and diamond in 18-karat gold ($32,000)
Holy Gems’ “The Pure Flower” necklace is set with black spinel and diamond in 18-karat gold ($28,000)
“The Drops of Love” ring, featuring sapphire and diamond in 18-karat gold ($25,000)
All the collection’s gems were sourced in Israel, except for the diamonds—Shefa has found diamonds, but not yet in great enough numbers for commercial use—and set in 18-karat gold.
The one-of-a-kind pieces in the collection are priced starting at $20,000. They are sold online at Holy-Gems.com or at the company’s showroom in Akko, Israel.
The Holy Gems secondary collection, named Holy Gems Sacred Love, will be a more commercial line, including minimalistic fine jewels inlaid with red garnet from Israel. Prices will start in the $2,500 to $5,000 range.
Though there may be some collaborations in the future, Shalem said Holy Gems has exclusive use of the gemstones, which will always be associated with the brand.
Shefa has complete control of the stones through the supply chain, from mining to cutting via subcontractors to marketing them under Holy Gems.
Shalem also noted the company has no plans to make loose stones available via wholesale.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
EditorsMay 25, 2022
7 Standout Tiaras in Sotheby’s Platinum Jubilee ExhibitionSenior Editor Brecken Branstrator chooses the pieces she’d most want to see in person.
MajorsMay 25, 2022
Anne Hathaway Is Bulgari’s Newest AmbassadorThe actress joins Zendaya and others in a new advertising campaign.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
The Mexican Shack to Close After 47 YearsOwner Steve Delzio shares his thoughts on retirement after nearly five decades in the jewelry industry.
Brought to you by
Dive into GIA’s Pearl ExpertiseWhen it comes to knowing the identity and quality of your pearls, count on GIA as your independent pearl experts.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
Designer Theo Fennell Has Written a Memoir “I Fear for This Boy” takes readers through the ups and downs of his business and is available for pre-order now.
Weekly QuizMay 19, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
MVEye, Wedding Report Partner on New Jewelry Research Platform“Today’s Wedding Jewelry Consumer” shares data about engagement ring market size, lab-grown and natural diamonds, and more.
ColumnistsMay 24, 2022
The PR Adviser: 10 Questions to Contemplate Columnist Lilian Raji wants to walk you through the customer journey. But first, she’d like you to answer a few questions.
Brought to you by
A.I. Grading is Changing Conversations at the Retail CounterAdvanced technology levels the playing field, helping jewelers give customers what they want.
Events & AwardsMay 24, 2022
8 Gold Jewelry Designers Unveil New Platinum DesignsSeveral Couture brands have partnered with Platinum Guild International ahead of the jewelry trade show.
Lab-GrownMay 24, 2022
Kendra Scott Unveils Lab-Grown Engagement Ring CollectionThe jewelry company is moving into bridal just a month after branching out into the watch world.
Events & AwardsMay 24, 2022
WJA to Host Diversity Keynote at New Las Vegas Breakfast Event The Generating Community Impact fundraiser on June 11 will feature Karine Bah Tahé of Blue Level Training.
WatchesMay 23, 2022
Steven Kaiser, Watch Industry Veteran and Beloved Mentor, Dies at 68 Kaiser, whose illustrious career spanned decades, died suddenly on Friday.
IndependentsMay 23, 2022
Long’s Jewelers to Open New LocationThe family-owned jeweler is relocating its Braintree, Massachusetts, store to a new space.
IndependentsMay 23, 2022
Luxury Goods Veteran Olivier Stip Joins Chicago Jeweler CD Peacock He will step into the retailer’s newly created role of chief development officer.
GradingMay 23, 2022
Gem-A Launches Digital Entry-Level Gemology CourseGemIntro is meant to give a broad introduction to gems and gemology.
Recorded WebinarsMay 20, 2022
Watch: Responsible Sourcing and the Gold Supply Chain Three industry experts discuss “recycled” gold vs. mined, their challenges and benefits, and how jewelers can navigate the area.
FinancialsMay 20, 2022
Richemont’s 2022 Jewelry Sales in the Americas Nearly DoubleCartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Buccellati put on stellar performances.
AuctionsMay 20, 2022
Piece of the Week: ‘Birds in Flight’ by Oscar Heyman The New York jeweler made this incredible, colorful Art Deco bracelet featuring tropical birds in 1927.
SurveysMay 19, 2022
5 Predictions for Jewelry Retail in the Second Half of 2022From a slowdown in sales growth to rising costs, Fruchtman Marketing outlines its expectations for the second half of the year.
MajorsMay 19, 2022
As It Nears 75, Here’s How Grandview Klein Stays CompetitiveOnce a part of Julius Klein Group, the diamond company combines its direct supply and cutting expertise with a keen eye to the future.
CollectionsMay 19, 2022
Brilliant Earth Collaborates with Jade TrauThe two have partnered on a capsule collection.
MajorsMay 19, 2022
Jewelers Mutual Adds 2 Industry Veterans to Its Board John A. Green of retailer Lux Bond & Green and Niveet Nagpal of Omi Privé have joined the board of directors as of May 18.
FinancialsMay 18, 2022
Watches of Switzerland’s Jewelry Sales More Than Doubled in Q4The retailer also said demand for Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet watches continues to exceed its supply.
AuctionsMay 18, 2022
Jewels from Bette Midler Are Headed to BonhamsThe auction house’s upcoming sale also includes collections from American heiresses.
IndependentsMay 18, 2022
Jeweler Lewis Baribault Celebrates 50th Work AnniversaryThe Connecticut jeweler reflected on five decades in the industry and what the future holds for the family business.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2022
Visit A Mine in New Jersey With WJA New York MetroThe chapter has organized a day trip to the Sterling Hill Mine and Museum in Ogdensburg on Saturday, May 21.
SourcingMay 17, 2022
A New Source in Tanzania Is Producing Cobalt-Blue SpinelThe stones come from a deposit close to Mahenge and have been on the market for several months.
