The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Fura to Acquire Australian Mining Company
The deal includes 73 sapphire mining leases in Central Queensland.

Toronto—Fura Gems is slated to buy Australian mining company Great Northern Mining.
The company has entered into a share sale agreement through its Australian subsidiary Capricorn Sapphire Pty worth nearly A$3 million (about $2.1 million).
The deal includes 73 sapphire mining leases in Central Queensland, at an area approximately 850 kilometers (about 528 miles) northwest of Brisbane.
They comprise a block of contiguous licenses measuring 15.2 square kilometers (just under 6 square miles) and share a common boundary at the east side with Fura’s existing Capricorn sapphire mining license.
The deal also includes some buildings, plants, fixtures, tools and other equipment.
Great Northern Mining produces a variety of sapphires—blue, blue-green, yellow and “parti” sapphires, or consisting of multiple colors.
Fura said after the acquisition it will work on a detailed geological evaluation to assess the scale-up of production at the site.
Additionally, it will work on a marketing strategy for Australian sapphires and aim to launch the product early next year.
Great Northern and Capricorn Sapphire together make the largest Australian sapphire supplier, according to Fura.
The deal is expected to close this month.
As for Fura’s Capricorn project, the acquisition of which was completed in January, mining exploration and rehabilitation activities have been operational throughout the pandemic—with appropriate controls and restrictions in place—as Queensland was able to keep its case count in check.
Fura said it plans to scale up operations there in the fourth quarter.
The Latest

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.


To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

Luca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.

The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

The De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”

The Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.

Industry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.

The winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.