MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingMar 31, 2021
Gemfields Reports $93M Loss in 2020 Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The colored stone miner wasn’t able to hold any regular auctions during the year.
Gemfields was not able to hold any regular gemstone auctions in 2020 due to the pandemic, severely impacting its bottom line in its full-year financial results.
London—The coronavirus pandemic led to the suspension of Gemfields’ mining operations and its regular auction system, severely impacting its bottom line in 2020.
The company just released its full-year financial results, reporting a drop in revenue and slipping into the red amid a challenging year.
For the year ended Dec. 31, revenue was down 84 percent, plummeting from $216.2 million in 2019 to $34.6 million in 2020. And whereas the company earned a net profit of $39.1 million in 2019, it reported a net loss of $93.2 million for 2020.
The lockdowns during the pandemic meant mines had to shut down.
Gemfields suspended activities at its Kagem emerald mine in Zambia on March 30, 2020 and its Montepuez ruby operations in Mozambique on April 22, 2020.
Restrictions on travel and the movement of goods also meant the miner’s clients weren’t selling inventory at trade events and had no need to purchase more.
Gemfields didn’t hold any “traditional” auctions after its February 2020 sale of commercial-quality emeralds, which saw revenues total $11.5 million.
In November and December, however, the company held a series of “mini auctions” to test the market.
There were five small emerald auctions in which clients in Jaipur, Singapore and Tel Aviv were allowed private, in-person viewings of mixed-quality lots.
Each event took place over five days, with bids accepted via Gemfields’ new online auction platform or by email, marking the first time customers have been able to bid for its Zambian rough emeralds online.
Forty-six companies placed bids, and Gemfields said it achieved revenues of $10.9 million total and a per-carat average of $59.84, noting it found that rough emerald prices and demand have “held up well.”
“Winning bids were in line with and, in some cases, higher than, pre-COVID prices, and the number of bids per schedule increased, which demonstrates good demand,” the company said.
No ruby auctions took place last year, but Gemfields did start a series of small auctions for rubies in March and expects them to be completed in early April.
The company said it will continue with this auction model “in the near term” for both its emeralds and its rubies but hopes to return to a more regular auction format in the fourth quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, operations at both Kagem and Montepuez have resumed, with the latter’s wash plant and sort house starting in mid-February 2021 and those at Kagem beginning mid-March.
Gemfields said it anticipates operations to reach full capacity by the end of April.
The company just released its full-year financial results, reporting a drop in revenue and slipping into the red amid a challenging year.
For the year ended Dec. 31, revenue was down 84 percent, plummeting from $216.2 million in 2019 to $34.6 million in 2020. And whereas the company earned a net profit of $39.1 million in 2019, it reported a net loss of $93.2 million for 2020.
The lockdowns during the pandemic meant mines had to shut down.
Gemfields suspended activities at its Kagem emerald mine in Zambia on March 30, 2020 and its Montepuez ruby operations in Mozambique on April 22, 2020.
Restrictions on travel and the movement of goods also meant the miner’s clients weren’t selling inventory at trade events and had no need to purchase more.
Gemfields didn’t hold any “traditional” auctions after its February 2020 sale of commercial-quality emeralds, which saw revenues total $11.5 million.
In November and December, however, the company held a series of “mini auctions” to test the market.
There were five small emerald auctions in which clients in Jaipur, Singapore and Tel Aviv were allowed private, in-person viewings of mixed-quality lots.
Each event took place over five days, with bids accepted via Gemfields’ new online auction platform or by email, marking the first time customers have been able to bid for its Zambian rough emeralds online.
Forty-six companies placed bids, and Gemfields said it achieved revenues of $10.9 million total and a per-carat average of $59.84, noting it found that rough emerald prices and demand have “held up well.”
“Winning bids were in line with and, in some cases, higher than, pre-COVID prices, and the number of bids per schedule increased, which demonstrates good demand,” the company said.
No ruby auctions took place last year, but Gemfields did start a series of small auctions for rubies in March and expects them to be completed in early April.
The company said it will continue with this auction model “in the near term” for both its emeralds and its rubies but hopes to return to a more regular auction format in the fourth quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, operations at both Kagem and Montepuez have resumed, with the latter’s wash plant and sort house starting in mid-February 2021 and those at Kagem beginning mid-March.
Gemfields said it anticipates operations to reach full capacity by the end of April.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
