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
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
MajorsAug 20, 2026
Plumb Club Elects 2026-2027 BoardSteven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
