Navneet Gems Introduces Portrait-Cut Rubies
The geometric collection is on view now at the Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong Show.

The gemstones, which the Thailand-based manufacturer unveiled at the Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong show happening now, are fashioned into portrait cuts weighing between 0.5 carats and 2 carats.
The portrait cut, seen most commonly in diamonds, is also called a lasque. It’s a thin, flat cut with a large table and slight facets on the side. In rubies, the red hue is seen through the table.
“Just as red diamonds are exceptionally rare, high-quality rubies with intense red color are also relatively scarce. Opting for an unheated ruby portrait-cut can be an excellent choice for those who appreciate something rare and distinctive,” said Navneet Agarwal, marketing manager of Navneet Gems & Minerals.
The rough rubies are hand-selected from Mozambique ruby mining company Fura Gems. The gemstones are later cut and polished in Thailand.
Agarwal said the cutting process, which requires specialized skills and high levels of precision, has taken years to master. It’s part of why portrait cuts in rubies and other gem categories are still relatively niche, he said.
“Gem cutters must meticulously plan and execute each cut, while minimizing wastage of the valuable material. Unheated rubies can have inclusions and imperfections within them [which] can make the cutting process highly challenging. Gem cutters must carefully work around them to avoid damaging the stone or compromising its structural integrity,” Agarwal said.
“The process of preforming, cutting and polishing a portrait cut involves removing significant portions of the gem's material, which can increase the risk of fractures or breakage, especially if there are internal stress points within the stone.”
Portrait-cut diamonds boast a long history rooted in ancient Indian jewelry making. They were sometimes used to enhance and protect miniature paintings.
“There’s an old-world feel which takes us back to the native cutting style from the Maharajas era, when they used to use a lot of portrait cuts,” said Agarwal.
He cites rising demand for “individualistic jewelry and more economical choices” as part of his motivation for developing the new collection.
“One has to adapt to changing consumer preferences by offering fresh options that go beyond traditional cuts. Portrait cuts are a creative and artistic way of shaping gemstones, including rubies, to create unique and intricate designs,” said Agarwal.
Part of the cut’s appeal is also that its large surface area gives the illusion of a bigger gem, Agarwal said.
“Portrait cuts give the impression of a bigger gemstone and promise a great value for money in terms of visual impact.”
The Latest

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.


Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

The store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.

Two Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

In the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.

“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.

The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.

It’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.

The deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.

After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.

The “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.

Set for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.

Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”

The highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.

The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.

Former Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.

The group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.























