SourcingJun 12, 2024
State of Colored Stones: Why the Market Is More Colorful Than EverSourcingJun 24, 2024
Gemfields' June Ruby Auction Fetches Nearly $69M
The sale marks the miner’s 10th anniversary of its first auction of rubies from the Montepuez Ruby Mine in Mozambique.
Gemfields latest mixed-quality ruby auction brought in $68.7 million.
London—Gemfields announced its latest mixed-quality ruby auction brought in $68.7 million.
It was 97 percent sold by lot and nearly 100 percent sold by weight, with 94 of the 97 lots—comprising 217,044 carats offered—finding buyers.
The sale generated an average price per carat of $316.95.
“We are pleased to announce another strong result demonstrating the confidence that loyal customers have in our product offering and auction platform,” said Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ managing director of product and sales.
Banks said the company is proud to have “crossed the milestone” of an average selling price of $300 per carat at its June 2024 auction.
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 auction, comprised of seven mini auctions, took place June 3-18 via Gemfields’ online auction platform. Lots were made available for private, in-person viewings in Bangkok prior to the sale.
Fifty-two companies placed bids.
The auction’s total was lower than its June 2023 mixed-quality sale, which garnered $80.4 million with 446,202 carats offered.
A “low ruby” category was included in the June 2023 sale, while Gemfields did not offer a “low ruby” category at this mixed-quality sale or at the mixed-quality auction in December 2023, as per its press release about the results.
The miner also said auction results are “not always directly comparable,” as the lots offered vary in size, color, and clarity on account of variations in mined production and market demand.
The June 2023 auction was 97 percent sold by lot and 68 percent sold by weight, fetching an average price per carat of $265.99, against its more-than-$300 price per carat achieved in the June 2024 sale.
Gemfields notes one lot representing around 30 percent of the total weight offered in the June 2023 auction did not sell, and therefore the average price per carat was “considerably higher” than if the lot had sold.
The remaining gems, as well as 703,000 carats of “low ruby,” were sold at the September 2023 commercial quality ruby auction.
Related stories will be right here …
It was 97 percent sold by lot and nearly 100 percent sold by weight, with 94 of the 97 lots—comprising 217,044 carats offered—finding buyers.
The sale generated an average price per carat of $316.95.
“We are pleased to announce another strong result demonstrating the confidence that loyal customers have in our product offering and auction platform,” said Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ managing director of product and sales.
Banks said the company is proud to have “crossed the milestone” of an average selling price of $300 per carat at its June 2024 auction.
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 auction, comprised of seven mini auctions, took place June 3-18 via Gemfields’ online auction platform. Lots were made available for private, in-person viewings in Bangkok prior to the sale.
Fifty-two companies placed bids.
The auction’s total was lower than its June 2023 mixed-quality sale, which garnered $80.4 million with 446,202 carats offered.
A “low ruby” category was included in the June 2023 sale, while Gemfields did not offer a “low ruby” category at this mixed-quality sale or at the mixed-quality auction in December 2023, as per its press release about the results.
The miner also said auction results are “not always directly comparable,” as the lots offered vary in size, color, and clarity on account of variations in mined production and market demand.
The June 2023 auction was 97 percent sold by lot and 68 percent sold by weight, fetching an average price per carat of $265.99, against its more-than-$300 price per carat achieved in the June 2024 sale.
Gemfields notes one lot representing around 30 percent of the total weight offered in the June 2023 auction did not sell, and therefore the average price per carat was “considerably higher” than if the lot had sold.
The remaining gems, as well as 703,000 carats of “low ruby,” were sold at the September 2023 commercial quality ruby auction.
The June sale marks the 10th anniversary of Gemfields’ first auction of rubies from the MRM in Mozambique.
It has held 22 auctions of MRM gemstones since its first sale in June 2014, which together have generated $1.12 billion in total revenue.
“While the industry is currently facing some headwinds, arising in part from a softening in China, we hope this result provides good comfort to other stakeholders in our sector. As always, our thanks and appreciation goes out to the hardworking team at MRM, our partners Mwiriti and the Government of Mozambique, whose support makes these results and achievements possible,” Banks said.
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
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
