This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Gemfields Moves to Next Phase in Sri Lanka
The colored gemstone miner soon will put a call out to local mining companies to see if they want to work together to establish a supply chain in the country.
London--Colored gemstone miner Gemfields is continuing on with its project in Sri Lanka, announcing that it soon will put a call out to local mining companies to see if they want to work together to establish a supply chain in the country.
The company will offer support to Sri Lanka’s gemstone industry through its technical capabilities, proprietary grading systems and marketing methodologies, it said.
Once the chain has been established, the gemstones will be offered to international buyers via Gemfields’ auctions.
Back in September 2014, Gemfields entered into a joint venture with East West Gem Investment Limited in Sri Lanka. The joint venture gave it 75 percent of the operating interests in 16 of East West’s exploration licenses covering a variety of minerals.
Through the agreement, the two companies also established a gemstone trading company called Ratnapura Lanka Gemstones, which is focused on sourcing rough sapphires from various sources in the local market.
“We are pleased to start this next phase of activity in the Sri Lankan gemstone industry,” CEO Ian Harebottle said. “World famous for the quality of gemstones, we are optimistic we will be able to bring our proven expertise to this already-established market for the benefit of local mining communities and the Sri Lankan gemstone industry.”
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.


Two existing executives have been given new roles.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.