Navneet Gems Launches Salt-and-Pepper Sapphires
Sourced from Tanzania, the stones feature a unique hematite inclusion.

The sapphires’ color distinction comes from visible inclusions in the stone, similar to salt-and-pepper diamonds.
They are sourced globally with notable deposits in Australia and Sri Lanka, said the Thailand-based manufacturer, but those from Tanzania have a similar color profile to Montana sapphires and a clear black inclusion from hematite minerals inside the gem.
“Salt-and-pepper teal sapphires featuring eye-visible pepper inclusions are exclusively found in Tanzania,” said Navneet Agarwal, sales and marketing manager of Navneet Gems & Minerals.
The manufacturers’ offering is comprised of 100 to 150 singles stones, both calibrated and fancy shapes.
The gemstones range between 0.5 and 2 carats and are available in commercial and finer qualities. They come in various colors including yellow, green, and teal.
Agarwal sees the inclusions as unique characteristics of the stone, rather than undesirable flaws, citing copper inclusions seen in some Brazilian Paraíba tourmalines and zircon crystals that can appear in Sri Lankan spinel.
“These delicate speckles of black and gray in sapphires serve as unique markers of their growth and origin,” he said.
“Typically, inclusions weaken a stone when originating from within. However, a single stunning pepper inclusion can enhance the stone's aesthetic appeal without compromising its structural integrity.”
The manufacturer said it seeks to utilize all qualities of gemstones from a deposit.
“From a sustainability standpoint, if we go by this standard that inclusions decrease the value of the stone, most of the rough mined would be rejected. We strongly feel this is a huge waste of resources, time, and effort,” said Agarwal.
Agarwal adds, “It is precisely these imperfections that add to their striking beauty and value.”
The increasing value of ethical sourcing to modern buyers is generating an appreciation for previously overlooked gemstone variants and a shift in the conventional valuation of gemstones, said Navneet Gems & Minerals.
The company said maintaining consistent supply in Tanzania has been a challenge in the past, but it has material for now.
“In 2024, everyone is searching for something distinctive—something that can be quantified and sold in larger quantities consistently. We have sourced enough material directly from the mines, which can be sold for several years as we want to provide our clients consistent supply. What happens afterwards would not be in our hands, but depends on how much the earth is producing,” said Agarwal.
Tanzania, with its active government participation in promoting sustainability in its gemstone industry, has potential to establish an ethical mine-to-market chain, according to Navneet Gems.
The company said it is also “committed to addressing the challenge of reporting the full chain of custody, anticipating a rising demand for this transparency feature.”
Founded by Suresh Agarwal in 1993, Navneet Gems & Minerals is led today by his son Navneet Agarwal and headquartered in Bangkok.
The Latest

In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.

Take a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.

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

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.


The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.