WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
GradingMar 31, 2017
SSEF Warns of Improperly Labeled Sapphires
The Swiss gem lab says it is seeing sapphires from a new source in Bemainty, Madagascar coming in labeled as Kashmir.
Two “Kashmir-like” sapphires of exceptional quality and size, weighing 30 carats and 13 carats, from the new source at Bemainty, near the town of Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar
Basel, Switzerland--The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF is urging the trade to be vigilant about the “Kashmir-like” sapphires from Madagascar now hitting the market.
In October, a new deposit at Bemainty, near the town of Ambatondrazaka, began turning out sapphires.
The source has produced a large amount of blue, fancy colored and padparadscha sapphires of “partly exceptional size and quality,” and appears to be “a new gem source of greater importance than anything we have seen in recent years,” SSEF said in a statement.
In fact, SSEF Director Michael S. Krzemnicki told National Jeweler in an email that the highest quality goods from the source can compete with sapphires from any other gem deposit.
However, the lab has analyzed a number of these “Kashmir-like” sapphires from the new deposit, ranging from 5 to 50 carats, and began noticing in January that many of the stones coming into the lab were accompanied by gemological reports denoting a Kashmir origin when they actually are from Bemainty.
SSEF said it came to the conclusion after observing the gemstones under a microscope and using a number of scientific methods including Raman microspectrometry, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and GemTOF for trace element concentration. 
The lab said as soon as it started getting the Kashmir-like sapphires, it initiated research and established stringent criteria to identify the new material and distinguish it from Kashmir sapphires when characteristic features permit.
The work is based on the lab’s decades of experience with origin determination, top-of-the-line analytical information and an extensive collection that is constantly upgraded with gemstones from new deposits.
And while the sapphires coming from Madagascar do have a “Kashmir-like” visual appearance--with a subtle and fine “milkiness” that results in a velvety blue color typical of those that come from Kashmir--there also are a number of telling factors that distinguish goods from the two sources, including differences in clarity, growth zones, color zones and variation in the zircon crystals that appear inside.
(For a more detailed explanation about the differences between the sources, see the lab’s full trade alert.)
Krzemnicki said the trade should be careful when offered Kashmir sapphires, especially in large carat sizes, as this is “highly prized material.”
“We (had submitted to us), during one week of the Basel show, an outstanding
amount of large sapphires (that) claimed to be from Kashmir but in reality originated from Madagascar--about 10 stones between 10 and 50 carats. This is beyond any logic, as sapphires from Kashmir above 10 carats are very scarce and--even at SSEF and during a show--not submitted on a daily basis,” he told National Jeweler.
SSEF maintains that the new source in Madagascar has great potential and will be asset to the gem trade, as long as the true origin is correctly disclosed.
SSEF maintains that the new source in Madagascar has great potential and will be asset to the gem trade, as long as the true origin is correctly disclosed.
More on Grading
The Latest
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
