SourcingMay 20, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers SourcingJun 12, 2024
Bruce Cleaver Is Gemfields’ New Chair
The former De Beers CEO will step into the role next month.
Bruce Cleaver, who led De Beers from 2016 until 2023, has joined Gemfields’ board as chair, effective July 1.
London—Gemfields announced it has appointed former De Beers Group CEO Bruce Cleaver as chair and independent non-executive director.
“Bruce’s reputation as a preeminent leader is well documented and he brings considerable experience of mining gemstones in Africa and marketing them internationally,” said Gemfields.
Cleaver joined De Beers in 2016 and headed the company for more than six years, overseeing the launch of Lightbox and the creation of blockchain platform Tracr among other key initiatives.
His position with Gemfields will begin July 1.
Cleaver noted parallels between the how the two mining companies deliver consistent and reliable supply.
“Gemfields is a unique and extraordinary business, one that has taken a fragmented and fairly informal industry to considerable sophistication as the first consistent supplier of significant quantities of colored gemstones in a responsible and transparent manner,” he said.
“The colored gemstone market has long-transcended the arrival of its lab-grown counterparts, with lab-grown rubies having been around for more than 120 years.”
Cleaver noted he looks forward to working with the Gemfields team to prepare the company for its next stage of growth, which includes the construction of a new processing plant at Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada, the company’s ruby mine in Mozambique.
The new plant, designed to triple throughput capacity, is scheduled to be completed during the first half of 2025, he said.
Cleaver will also become chair of the nomination committee.
He will succeed Martin Tolcher, who has served as a board member since 2008 and as chair since 2019.
“I am truly delighted to have such a remarkable successor in Bruce and am confident that Gemfields will go from strength to strength under his stewardship,” Tolcher said.
Related stories will be right here …
“Bruce’s reputation as a preeminent leader is well documented and he brings considerable experience of mining gemstones in Africa and marketing them internationally,” said Gemfields.
Cleaver joined De Beers in 2016 and headed the company for more than six years, overseeing the launch of Lightbox and the creation of blockchain platform Tracr among other key initiatives.
His position with Gemfields will begin July 1.
Cleaver noted parallels between the how the two mining companies deliver consistent and reliable supply.
“Gemfields is a unique and extraordinary business, one that has taken a fragmented and fairly informal industry to considerable sophistication as the first consistent supplier of significant quantities of colored gemstones in a responsible and transparent manner,” he said.
“The colored gemstone market has long-transcended the arrival of its lab-grown counterparts, with lab-grown rubies having been around for more than 120 years.”
Cleaver noted he looks forward to working with the Gemfields team to prepare the company for its next stage of growth, which includes the construction of a new processing plant at Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada, the company’s ruby mine in Mozambique.
The new plant, designed to triple throughput capacity, is scheduled to be completed during the first half of 2025, he said.
Cleaver will also become chair of the nomination committee.
He will succeed Martin Tolcher, who has served as a board member since 2008 and as chair since 2019.
“I am truly delighted to have such a remarkable successor in Bruce and am confident that Gemfields will go from strength to strength under his stewardship,” Tolcher said.
Additionally, Simon Scott will join the board as independent non-executive director, and Kieran Daly will join the board as non-executive director.
Scott will also join the audit committee and the nomination committee, and he will also chair the risk council.
Scott, who was previously chief financial officer at British producer of platinum group metals Lonmin plc (formerly Lonrho plc), is also a non-executive director of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. and Sylvania Platinum Ltd.
Daly is currently an alternate director to Patrick Sacco on the Gemfields board, and he holds board-level roles in other mining companies, including at Australia-based Atlantic Lithium Ltd.
Daly is managing director of mining holding company Assore International Holdings, which holds a 29 percent holding in Gemfields, and a growth and strategic development executive at Assore Holdings.
Kwape Mmela, Gemfields’ independent non-executive director, chair of the remuneration committee, and a member of the nomination committee, will become lead independent non-executive director and join the audit committee.
All new appointees will step into their new roles July 1.
Lead Independent Non-Executive Director Lumkile Mondi and Independent Non-Executive Director Carel Malan are resigning, also effective July 1.
Mondi, as well as Tolcher, signaled last year that they were entering their final terms in office on the Gemfields board.
Malan will focus on his now permanent role at Ore & Metal Company Ltd., a subsidiary of Assore Holdings.
“Martin, Lumkile, and Carel have all provided invaluable contributions to the company during their respective tenures on Gemfields’ board,” the company said.
Gemfields’ annual general meeting will take place June 25.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
Weekly QuizFeb 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
