SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown DiamondSourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest Auction
Its commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
Gemfields’ latest commercial-quality emerald auction took place April 11-29.
London—Gemfields announced its latest commercial-quality emerald auction brought in $16.4 million, a marked improvement from the third quarter 2024.
It was 89 percent sold by lot, with 32 of the 36 lots offered finding buyers, and 79 percent sold by weight.
Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ managing director of product and sales, said the results are a “notable improvement” on the company’s disappointing emerald auction held in September 2024.
“An increased number of bids and stronger prices across a broad quality range point to improved sentiment and demand since our experience in Q3 2024,” he said.
The most recent sale generated an average price per carat of $6.87, up more than $2 a carat from the per-carat average of $4.47 posted in September, with that sale totaling $10.8 million.
However, Banks noted that the per-carat price was “positively skewed” by the fact that Gemfields withdrew some “very low-quality” material from the auction. That material accounted for about 19 percent of the total carat weight offering.
The miner also noted that 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.
Related stories will be right here …
It was 89 percent sold by lot, with 32 of the 36 lots offered finding buyers, and 79 percent sold by weight.
Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ managing director of product and sales, said the results are a “notable improvement” on the company’s disappointing emerald auction held in September 2024.
“An increased number of bids and stronger prices across a broad quality range point to improved sentiment and demand since our experience in Q3 2024,” he said.
The most recent sale generated an average price per carat of $6.87, up more than $2 a carat from the per-carat average of $4.47 posted in September, with that sale totaling $10.8 million.
However, Banks noted that the per-carat price was “positively skewed” by the fact that Gemfields withdrew some “very low-quality” material from the auction. That material accounted for about 19 percent of the total carat weight offering.
The miner also noted that 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 rough emeralds were mined at Kagem, which is 75 percent owned by Gemfields and 25 percent by the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia.
The auction was held April 11 to 29, taking place via an online auction platform specifically adapted for the miner that permits customers from multiple jurisdictions to participate in a sealed-bid process.
Prior to the sale, the auction lots were made available for private in-person viewings by customers in Jaipur, India.
In December, Gemfields announced it was suspending operations at Kagem for up to six months due to an oversupply of emeralds on the market.
The suspension remained in effect as of press time.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
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.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
