CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
SourcingAug 07, 2017
Pallinghurst Names New Gemfields CEO
Ian Harebottle, who resigned following the company’s takeover, will be succeeded by Gemfields executive board member Sean Gilbertson.
London--The new owner of Gemfields, Palllinghurst Resources, has named a new CEO for the colored stone miner following Ian Harebottle’s resignation.
Pallinghurst’s recent acquisition of the company led to the July 28 delisting of Gemfields from AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s market for smaller companies. It is now an unlisted subsidiary of Pallinghurst, which expects to own 100 percent of the company by the end of this month.
Harebottle’s departure is one of a number of executive changes as Pallinghurst takes over the colored gemstone miner--which it says is in a record amount of debt--and launches an analysis of its operations.
The company has named longtime Gemfields executive board member, and recently appointed Pallinghurst executive director, Sean Gilbertson as CEO to succeed Harebottle. Gilbertson is the son of Pallinghurst board Chairman Brian Gilbertson.
Sean Gilbertson is the longest-serving executive director of Gemfields, playing a vital role in the acquisition and redevelopment of the Kagem emerald mine as well as in the 2013 acquisition and relaunch of the Fabergé brand, the company said.
In addition, Chief Financial Officer Janet Boyce has resigned, as have the non-executive directors of the colored stone miner.
David Lovett, who joined the company’s finance team in 2008, replaces Boyce as CFO and also will join the board. Lovett has served as a senior financial manager across a number of operating subsidiaries during his nine-year tenure.
Pallinghurst board Chairman Brian Gilbertson, Sean’s father, and CEO Arne H. Frandsen have joined the board of Gemfields as chairman and deputy chairman, respectively. Frandsen also will be joining the boards of Kagem Mining Limited and Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada.
Pallinghurst’s recent acquisition of the company led to the July 28 delisting of Gemfields from AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s market for smaller companies. It is now an unlisted subsidiary of Pallinghurst, which expects to own 100 percent of the company by the end of this month.
Harebottle’s departure is one of a number of executive changes as Pallinghurst takes over the colored gemstone miner--which it says is in a record amount of debt--and launches an analysis of its operations.
The company has named longtime Gemfields executive board member, and recently appointed Pallinghurst executive director, Sean Gilbertson as CEO to succeed Harebottle. Gilbertson is the son of Pallinghurst board Chairman Brian Gilbertson.
Sean Gilbertson is the longest-serving executive director of Gemfields, playing a vital role in the acquisition and redevelopment of the Kagem emerald mine as well as in the 2013 acquisition and relaunch of the Fabergé brand, the company said.
In addition, Chief Financial Officer Janet Boyce has resigned, as have the non-executive directors of the colored stone miner.
David Lovett, who joined the company’s finance team in 2008, replaces Boyce as CFO and also will join the board. Lovett has served as a senior financial manager across a number of operating subsidiaries during his nine-year tenure.
Pallinghurst board Chairman Brian Gilbertson, Sean’s father, and CEO Arne H. Frandsen have joined the board of Gemfields as chairman and deputy chairman, respectively. Frandsen also will be joining the boards of Kagem Mining Limited and Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada.
Gemfields formed and launched on the AIM in 2005, setting out to be a standout in the colored gemstone industry. It eventually created a system to take the gems mine to market, acquired the iconic Faberge brand and launched marketing campaigns around colored gemstones to boost them in the market.
Other changes to the board and management made thus far are as follows.
--Adrian Banks, who joined Gemfields in 2009 and served as the group’s product director, responsible for grading, sorting and auctioning of emerald and ruby production, has joined the Gemfields board. He will continue to use his experience to help optimize the sale of rough gemstones.
--CV Suresh, who joined Gemfields in 2006 and ran Kagem prosperously from 2007 through 2015, also has joined the Gemfields board, taking overall responsibility for Gemfields’ Zambian assets.
--Kartikeya Parikshya, a leading gemstone geologist who joined Gemfields in 2004, has joined the Gemfields board and will be responsible for Gemfields’ Mozambican and Ethiopian operations, including the Montepuez ruby mine.
In its press release issued Friday, Pallinghurst said it has commenced a thorough review and analysis of Gemfields’ operations, including processes, plans, budgets and financial position. Its findings will inform an updated plan for developing the colored stone miner.
It added that Gemfields’ debt is “currently at record levels,” due in large part to a material drop in emerald production at Kagem, which resulted in a $54 million year-over-year decline in Kagem’s auction revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30.
Pallinghurst said it plans to report its findings of the review to the board by mid-September.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
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.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
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.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
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.
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.
