From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
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

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine


From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.




















