SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana Sapphires
The wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
Navneet Gems and Minerals launched its sapphire collection at the recent GJX Tucson show, offering both calibrated and single stones.
Bangkok—Navneet Gems and Minerals, a Thailand–based gemstone manufacturer, will now offer a wholesale collection of unheated Montana sapphires.
The collection launched at the GJX Tucson show, which took place earlier this month, showcasing both calibrated and single stones.
“Montana sapphires are very popular right now, especially in the North American market, thanks to their ethical sourcing, unique colors, and recognition as high quality gems,” said Navneet Agarwal, director of Navneet Gems & Minerals.
The company said the gemstones are responsibly sourced and range from 1 to 3 carats in commercial and finer quality.
Navneet Gems sourced its sapphires from the Rock Creek mines operated by Potentate Mining.
“High-quality unheated Montana sapphires are rare,” said Agarwal.
“In our case, we’ve been able to offer unheated sapphires because the rough we sourced was of exceptionally high quality. While heat treating is the standard practice for Montana sapphires, we’re fortunate to work with top-tier material that allows us to offer an unheated option."
The miner is able to offer consistent production and a wide range of stunning colors, according to Navneet Gems.
“Our deposit is located in the aptly named ‘Sapphire Mountain Range,’” said Warren Boyd, marketing director of Potentate Mining.
“The Rock Creek Sapphire mining area is by far the largest volume producer of sapphires in Montana and the largest sapphire producer in the western hemisphere.”
The deposit is known for producing stones in pastel hues including blue, teal, and green, as well as rarer shades such as orange, yellow, pink, bi-color combinations, and a cognac tone reminiscent of Pantone’s color of the year for 2025.
These hues capture the very spirit of Montana’s diverse landscapes, according to the company, mirroring “expansive blue skies over the Rocky Mountains to the lush greens of its valleys and the warm, golden tones of its sunlit plains.”
Related stories will be right here …
The collection launched at the GJX Tucson show, which took place earlier this month, showcasing both calibrated and single stones.
“Montana sapphires are very popular right now, especially in the North American market, thanks to their ethical sourcing, unique colors, and recognition as high quality gems,” said Navneet Agarwal, director of Navneet Gems & Minerals.
The company said the gemstones are responsibly sourced and range from 1 to 3 carats in commercial and finer quality.
Navneet Gems sourced its sapphires from the Rock Creek mines operated by Potentate Mining.
“High-quality unheated Montana sapphires are rare,” said Agarwal.
“In our case, we’ve been able to offer unheated sapphires because the rough we sourced was of exceptionally high quality. While heat treating is the standard practice for Montana sapphires, we’re fortunate to work with top-tier material that allows us to offer an unheated option."
The miner is able to offer consistent production and a wide range of stunning colors, according to Navneet Gems.
“Our deposit is located in the aptly named ‘Sapphire Mountain Range,’” said Warren Boyd, marketing director of Potentate Mining.
“The Rock Creek Sapphire mining area is by far the largest volume producer of sapphires in Montana and the largest sapphire producer in the western hemisphere.”
The deposit is known for producing stones in pastel hues including blue, teal, and green, as well as rarer shades such as orange, yellow, pink, bi-color combinations, and a cognac tone reminiscent of Pantone’s color of the year for 2025.
These hues capture the very spirit of Montana’s diverse landscapes, according to the company, mirroring “expansive blue skies over the Rocky Mountains to the lush greens of its valleys and the warm, golden tones of its sunlit plains.”
Montana sapphires from Rock Creek may also feature distinctive natural inclusions, including rutile silk inclusions that can give the stone a milky or opalescent appearance, as well as black mica inclusions.
“Inclusions are a positive sign of a natural sapphire. They show us what the Earth has given us, and we fully respect that. We believe in being ethical, not discarding anything that is part of nature’s creation process,” said Agarwal.
“That's why Montana sapphires represent such a significant shift in the industry. One of the main reasons we're drawn to Montana sapphires is because they support an ethically sourced product.”
The company has also reported seeing an uptick in the gemstone being considered for bespoke pieces, engagement rings, and other offerings that appeal to customers of “a new generation that values authenticity and self-expression over mass-market trends.”
While the Asian market remains “untapped,” according to Navneet Gems, the gemstone is gaining traction in European markets, and Agarwal has noticed Australian companies incorporating Montana sapphires into their collections as well.
“It’s similar to how Australian sapphires aren’t limited to Australia—they’re in demand all over the world, including the U.S.,” said Agarwal.
“The same is true for Montana sapphires.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
