SourcingJul 09, 2024
The Curious Gem Now Carrying Fuli PeridotSourcingJul 10, 2024
Navneet Gems Launches Salt-and-Pepper Sapphires
Sourced from Tanzania, the stones feature a unique hematite inclusion.
Navneet Gems & Minerals is now offering salt-and-pepper sapphires from the Songea region in Tanzania, which come in various colors, including yellow, green, and teal.
Bangkok—Navneet Gems & Minerals has launched a wholesale collection of salt-and-pepper sapphires from the Songea region in Tanzania.
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.”
Related stories will be right here …
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.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
The ‘Fabergé x Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Collection is Scary ChicIt’s showtime for these jewels, inspired by the motifs and color palette of the new Tim Burton film.
FinancialsSep 06, 2024
Movado Lowers Guidance as Q2 Sales SlipCEO Efraim Grinberg pointed to a challenging consumer spending environment, particularly in the watch category.
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lizzie Mandler’s ‘Liquid Gold’ HoopsInspired by a 19th century sculpture, Mandler transformed gold into liquid for these earrings.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
CollectionsSep 05, 2024
Bella Hadid Is Chopard’s New Brand AmbassadorThe model and entrepreneur stars in two new Chopard campaigns.
Weekly QuizSep 05, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Nordstrom Family Offers to Buy Namesake Retailer for $3.8BMembers of the founding family partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to possibly take Nordstrom private.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates Elsa Peretti’s Bone CuffThe iconic design has joined a lineup of notable pieces featured in the jeweler’s “With Love, Since 1837” campaign.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Former Chopard, Frederique Constant Executive Tapped to Head CadarRalph Simons is now CEO of the jewelry brand started by fashion designer Michal Kadar and her husband, Avraham Kadar, in 2015.
ColumnistsSep 04, 2024
Creative Connecting: Why ‘Experience Content’ Matters Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen say it’s all about giving your social media feeds a human touch.
TrendsSep 04, 2024
Taylor Hill, Soo Joo Park Star in New Messika CampaignThe models and friends of founder and artistic designer Valérie Messika showcase the brand’s jewelry in the “Back to Icons” campaign.
MajorsSep 04, 2024
Bloomingdale’s to Highlight Italian Jewelry in New Campaign“From Italy, With Love” will showcase Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego, and other Italian brands.
CollectionsSep 03, 2024
Zales, Prince Debut US Open-Inspired CollectionThe jewelry retailer will also have a diamond-set tennis racket on display at the tournament.
IndependentsSep 03, 2024
Ylang 23 Relocates, Expands Dallas FlagshipThe retailer has moved into a 3,200-square-foot space at The Shops of Highland Park.
TrendsSep 03, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Sapphires for SeptemberThe month’s birthstone is vibrant in every color.
WatchesAug 30, 2024
Breitling Marks 140 Years With Special Editions of 3 Classic WatchesThe special editions of the Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat are equipped with a new perpetual calendar movement from the brand.
CollectionsAug 30, 2024
Piece of the Week: K. Brunini Jewels’ Butterfly RingFly away with designer Katey Brunini’s butterfly ring, as its spring-loaded wings flutter above your fingers.
MajorsAug 29, 2024
Brilliant Earth Promotes Two Executives to C-Suite RolesThe jewelry retailer has a new chief brand officer and chief operations officer.
MajorsAug 29, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New YorkIts next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.
SurveysAug 28, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rises in August Despite Labor Market WorriesInflation remained a top concern among survey-takers who included write-in responses.
TechnologyAug 28, 2024
Verizon Throws Its Hat in the Ring on Smart Rings The wireless carrier is now stocking the Ultrahuman Ring Air in select U.S. stores.
CollectionsAug 28, 2024
Pamela Love’s ‘Jardin’ Collection Is Filled With Lush Green EmeraldsIn a collaboration with Muzo, Pamela Love hand-selected each Colombian emerald for eight one-of-a-kind pieces.
MajorsAug 28, 2024
Stuller Named ‘Great Place to Work’The certification is based on employee responses about their experience working at a company.
Policies & IssuesAug 27, 2024
US to Allow Import of ‘Legacy’ Diamonds From RussiaOFAC has issued two licenses addressing the issue, one for diamond-set jewelry and one for loose diamonds.
GradingAug 27, 2024
IGI Files for IPO in IndiaThe gemological lab is looking to raise up to $477 million.
Events & AwardsAug 27, 2024
Here Are the Winners of the 2024 CASE AwardsThe annual jewelry design competition celebrates creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
MajorsAug 27, 2024
David Yurman Opens Store in Columbus, OhioThe boutique is in Easton Town Center’s newly renovated fashion district.
