Sherry Smith shares data on the year gone by, including the breakdown between natural and lab-grown diamond sales.
Fallout from Nirav Modi Scandal Hits Gemfields
The colored gemstone miner, which sold only half the lots at its latest auction, said emerald customers in India are struggling to get financing.
London--Only about half the carats on offer sold at Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, with the colored gemstone miner pointing to the recent Nirav Modi bank fraud scandal as the culprit.
Gemfields held its auction of higher-quality rough emeralds from the Kagem mine in Lusaka, Zambia, from May 15 to 18.
It put 310,000 carats up on the block, its smallest quantity of higher-quality emeralds at any auction to date, and only 56 percent sold.
In a company release announcing the results, Sean Gilbertson, CEO of Pallinghurst and Gemfields, attributed the results to the effect the Nirav Modi bank fraud scandal has had on auction participants.
Gilbertson said many of Gemfields’ emerald customers are from India, where the gemstone and jewelry sector is suffering: “Given the ensuing losses sustained by Indian banks, access to finance has become challenging for many companies in the Indian gem and jewelry industry.
“With reduced funding available, our clients had to be much more selective about the auction lots they wished to secure. Given our confidence in the value and high quality of the gems we offered, we naturally held back auction lots that did not meet our reserve prices in order to aid market stability during the present period of turbulence.”
Gilbertson added that given the auction’s average per-carat price of $59.55, there still appears to be “good underlying demand” in the market despite the current jewelry market trends.
RELATED CONTENT: Nirav Modi Case Is ‘Another Nail in the Coffin’Overall, Gemfields’ May sale generated revenue of $10.3 million.
The colored gemstone miner said Indian gem firm H.C. Tank won a lot comprised of three gems weighing a total of 37.5 carats and set an all-time price-per-carat record for a single lot at a Gemfields emerald auction.
The sale also marked the first time Gemfields put up for auction emeralds tagged with the new “Provenance Proof” nanoparticle technology, launched in partnership with Gübelin Gem Lab at Baselworld 2017.
Nine of the 17 lots featured the technology in which nanoparticles tag the emeralds as having been mined at Kagem, allowing for identification of origin and traceability.
Five of the nine lots featuring Provenance Proof were sold at the auction.
When asked about the effects of the technology on rough gemstone prices, a Gemfields spokesperson said a little more than 600 rough gems containing the “Provenance Proof” nanotechnology have now entered the market,
The Latest
The company also is matching donations made to Jewelers of America and the Diamond Council of America’s Jewelers Relief Fund.
Now in its fourth year, the program is expanding to include a list of “20 Under 40” for jewelry suppliers.
The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Core retail sales during the 2024 holiday season surpassed the National Retail Federation’s forecast.
The “Reach for Life” collection uses feather and arrow motifs to invite growth and inner curiosity.
Peter Smith pulls back the curtain on the often misinterpreted, and sometimes maligned, world of sales training.
A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year takes the form of jewelry through gemstones and enamel that look just as delicious as mocha mousse.
From raffles to auctions to donations, the industry is working to aid charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
The company, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, had a record Q3, with sales topping $6 billion.
The necklace features a sapphire drop weighing more than 9 carats that detaches to transform into a ring.
Jameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist brand Khiry, will receive a cash prize and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.
The 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.
The watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.
Offered by U.K. auction house Woolley & Wallis, the yellow diamond bracelet was a gift from Taylor’s good friend Michael Jackson.
The jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.
The closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.
The online guide is available for free and written with the jewelry industry in mind.
The awards honor the late Jose Hess, a founding member of AJDC and an award-winning jewelry designer.
The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.
In this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.
A pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.
The peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.
Schneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.
With versions in 18-karat gold and platinum, the wearables company is blending health technology and fine jewelry.