SourcingDec 14, 2023
This 108-Carat Pink Diamond Is Beginning a New ChapterSourcingDec 15, 2023
Gemfields Sold Every Lot in Its Latest Ruby Auction
Its final sale this year brought the miner’s annual auction revenue to the second highest in its history.
Gemfields’ December mixed-quality rough ruby sale, its last auction of the year, raised its total auction revenue for the year to $242 million, the second highest in its history, and brought its cumulative emerald and ruby auction sales total to more than $2 billion.
London—Gemfields announced that its latest mixed-quality ruby auction, its last sale of the year, garnered $69.5 million, with every lot sold.
Total revenue from the sale was down 13 percent from the June sale, which brought in $80.4 million, but was slightly higher than the December 2022 auction, which brought in $66.8 million.
The rough rubies were extracted by Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada (MRM), which is 75 percent owned by Gemfields and 25 percent by Mozambican partner Mwiriti Limitada.
The sale offered mixed-quality rough rubies in 97 lots totaling 239,591 carats with an average realized price of $290 per carat, about 87 percent higher than last December ($155) and 9 percent higher than June ($266).
Even though the miner canceled its November emerald auction, Gemfields’ total auction revenue for 2023 rose to $242 million, the second highest in its history, said Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ managing director of product and sales.
“We’ve seen ruby prices at our auctions go from strength to strength in recent years and our final auction of 2023 has further endorsed that trend,” said Banks. “This auction has shown that the demand and pricing for rough rubies is decidedly healthy.”
Related stories will be right here …
Total revenue from the sale was down 13 percent from the June sale, which brought in $80.4 million, but was slightly higher than the December 2022 auction, which brought in $66.8 million.
The rough rubies were extracted by Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada (MRM), which is 75 percent owned by Gemfields and 25 percent by Mozambican partner Mwiriti Limitada.
The sale offered mixed-quality rough rubies in 97 lots totaling 239,591 carats with an average realized price of $290 per carat, about 87 percent higher than last December ($155) and 9 percent higher than June ($266).
Even though the miner canceled its November emerald auction, Gemfields’ total auction revenue for 2023 rose to $242 million, the second highest in its history, said Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ managing director of product and sales.
“We’ve seen ruby prices at our auctions go from strength to strength in recent years and our final auction of 2023 has further endorsed that trend,” said Banks. “This auction has shown that the demand and pricing for rough rubies is decidedly healthy.”
The December auction took place Nov. 20-Dec. 5, with lots made available in Bangkok for private, in-person viewings.
Following the viewings, the auctions took place via an online auction platform Gemfields said was specifically adapted for the company and permitted customers from multiple jurisdictions to participate in a sealed bid process.
The company said the “low ruby” category was not offered at the December auction, given that approximately 703,000 carats were sold at the commercial-quality ruby auction in September 2023.
The 21 auctions of MRM gemstones held since June 2014 have now generated $1.05 billion in total revenue.
“This auction also takes Gemfields past the milestone of $2 billion in cumulative emerald and ruby auction sales, an achievement the Gemfields team and our stakeholders can be very proud of, particularly given the remittance of these sales revenues in full to the countries of origin, and the payment of nearly $400 million in mineral royalties and corporation taxes to the combined governments of Mozambique and Zambia,” Banks said.
“As always, our thanks go to our hard-working colleagues, our partners, our host governments and of course our clients for their ongoing support and confidence in Gemfields.”
The proceeds of this auction will be fully repatriated to MRM in Mozambique, with all royalties due to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique being paid on the full sales price achieved at the auction, according to Gemfields.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
