The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
Revenue, profit up for Gemfields in fiscal 2014
Both revenue and profits increased this past fiscal year for Gemfields Plc, which saw the company push into the black as it began selling rubies for the first time.
London--Both revenue and profits increased this past fiscal year for Gemfields Plc, which saw the company push into the black as it began selling rubies for the first time.
The colored gemstone miner reported Monday that revenue hit $160.1 million in its fiscal year ended June 30, up from $48.4 million in the prior-year period.
Gemfields recorded profits of $16.3 million in the 12-month period, a drastic increase from the net loss of $22.8 million it saw in fiscal 2013.
Annual production of emerald and beryl from the company’s main asset, the Kagem mine in Zambia, was 20.2 million carats, down 33 percent from the 30 million carats extracted last year. The company said that this decrease was due to high amounts of rainfall, grade volatility and delays in the next phase of the program to expand the pit size.
Three auctions of emerald and beryl mined at Kagem, two of higher-quality and one of lower-quality rough, were held in Lusaka, Zambia, during the year, generating revenues of $84.4 million.
Traded rough emerald auctions for gems not mined by the company were held in Jaipur, India, in September 2013 and May 2014, generating revenue of $22 million.
Total ruby and corundum extracted from the Montepuez mine in Mozambique, meanwhile, was 6.5 million carats. Gemfields held its first auction featuring the gemstones from that mine in June 2014, realizing $33.5 million and an average per-carat price of $18.43.
RELATED CONTENT: Gemfields’ first ruby auction nets $34M
The auction was 91 percent sold by value and 90 percent sold by volume. Gemfields attributed its success in part to the development of a “first-of-its-kind” comprehensive grading and sorting system that Gemfields developed for rough rubies, which was based on the proprietary rough emerald grading system used at the company’s Kagem emerald mine in Zambia.
The miner said that the next auction of ruby and corundum is scheduled to take place before the end of calendar year 2014.
Meanwhile, Gemfields also recently infused a $2.5 million investment into its Kariba mine to significantly increase production of amethyst and just announced it has acquired an interest in a Sri Lankan company to mine sapphires there.
Fine jewelry house Fabergé, which is 100 percent owned by Gemfields, saw increased unit sales and a 12 percent relative increase in gross profit margins from sales and sales orders during the 12-month period.
The brand
Fabergé also exhibited at Baselworld and, in New York, completed its Big Egg Hunt this spring, raising $2.7 million for the “Elephant Family” and “Studio In A School” charities.
Gemfields CEO Ian Harebottle said, “The Kagem emerald mine in Zambia continues to be our cornerstone asset and the fact that Kagem is now a fully tax paying entity (and has distributed its first ever dividends to our partners, the Government of the Republic of Zambia), validates the investment, turnaround and growth initiatives initiated when Gemfields acquired 75 percent of Kagem in June 2008. We are very grateful to our dedicated and hard-working team and remain tremendously excited about our expanding global portfolio of emeralds, rubies and sapphires.”
The Latest

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

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

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.


Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

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

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.