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.”
The Latest
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
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.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
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.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
