CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsFeb 07, 2020
Live From Tucson: 9 Colored Gemstone Market Updates
Experts run down the list of stones finding new life in the market and reveal which gemstone is the current darling of the trade.
Younger designers are looking for alternative colors in known varieties of gems, according to a recent market update session at AGTA GemFair helmed by the Gemworld International team. Pictured here is a pair of gray spinel from Color First.
Tucson, Ariz.—Every year, Tucson serves as the perfect backdrop for a market update from Gemworld International on current events, trends and other topics in the colored gemstone sector.
This year, President Richard Drucker and Vice President Stuart Robertson talked about pricing trends, and which stones are enjoying renewed popularity, among other topics.
Here are nine takeaways from their session held Thursday at the AGTA GemFair jewelry trade show.
1. Here’s what is happening in sapphires.
When it comes to the popular gem, blue still leads sales.
Most production of the corundum is now coming from Madagascar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia, Drucker said.
He said prices for heated material have come down due to oversupply—as mechanized mining puts so much more material in the market—while unheated material is scarce and demand is high, so prices have risen.
2. There’s some old stock coming into the market.
Though aquamarine has always been a staple, one thing Gemworld has noticed, Robertson said, is that for the first time in a long time, old mined material is coming out of the safes and into the market, putting more expensive pieces into play.
He said they expect to see more of that, especially since the supply of good rough leveled off last year along with a dip in some prices; these rare, high-quality stones “resist all that,” he said, so it’s an opportune time to bring them out.
They also are seeing some of the same with rubellite tourmaline.
3. Spinel is having its day.
There’s been plenty of chatter around spinel the past few years, so it’s not surprising Robertson said sales of the gemstone have been strong recently, especially when it comes to unusual colors like gunmetal gray, which offer a unique look at an affordable price point.
This follows the trend, he said, of unusual stones—special stones within an already known variety—gaining in popularity.
Much of this is coming from younger designers who are looking for something different.
4. Australian opals are the benchmark.
One of the main drivers for the opal market over the years has been that the Ethiopian material expanded the base and the knowledge of opal, Robertson said.
But as the stability of the material became a concern, Australia re-emerged as the “benchmark for quality” in opals.
He added that they’re seeing more in the U.S. shows and prices for the gemstones have risen again.
5.
Here’s the lowdown on popular red gems.
There aren’t a lot of Burmese rubies on the market anymore, and prices for the larger, finer stones have skyrocketed.
Where they are seeing strength in the market is for East African rubies.
Prices for the heated rubies, Robertson said, have gone down because there’s so much supply. Ruby used to account for only about 20 percent of the corundum category, but that’s gotten closer to 50 percent or more in recent years.
“The demand is probably not going to support the level of production coming into the marketplace out of Mozambique and other places in the last few years,” he said.
Mozambique is, in fact, the dominant producer of ruby today, but where prices had gone up dramatically, they’ve started softening within the last few years as the market makes a correction.
6. And here’s what’s happening in popular greens.
Tsavorite prices also have come down, so Gemworld expects it to be one of the stronger sellers in green, and in garnets in general.
However, there’s not a lot of production now, especially as Tanzania continues to more closely regulate its mining sector.
The emerald market, meanwhile, has seen a fair amount of change.
While the Ethiopian material offered a lot of promise, Robertson said it was difficult to figure out its positioning in the marketplace.
Now, the main source seems to be Zambia, where production is good and yields decent green stones.
The issue that really continues to affect the emerald marketplace, he said, is enhancements.
“Every time there is some understanding of enhancements at the retail level and with the consumers, the producers start coming up with new narrative or new nomenclature, and it really confuses things,” Robertson said.
7. Garnets are currently the “trade darling.”
More designers are using garnets, especially in alternate colors like the purples that have popped up recently. And even though prices have risen, garnets continue to offer affordable color alternatives to a number of gems.
Robertson said they expect garnets to have a strong run this year.
8. Zircons offer similar advantages.
There’s more interest in zircon again because of its affordability, according to Gemworld, and that interest is extending beyond blue to include the earth tones.
9. Some labs have changed their alexandrite labeling.
According to Drucker, some labs are now listing any color-change chrysoberyl as alexandrite, which is
confusing some dealers when it comes to pricing.
There aren’t a lot of Burmese rubies on the market anymore, and prices for the larger, finer stones have skyrocketed.
Where they are seeing strength in the market is for East African rubies.
Prices for the heated rubies, Robertson said, have gone down because there’s so much supply. Ruby used to account for only about 20 percent of the corundum category, but that’s gotten closer to 50 percent or more in recent years.
“The demand is probably not going to support the level of production coming into the marketplace out of Mozambique and other places in the last few years,” he said.
Mozambique is, in fact, the dominant producer of ruby today, but where prices had gone up dramatically, they’ve started softening within the last few years as the market makes a correction.
6. And here’s what’s happening in popular greens.
Tsavorite prices also have come down, so Gemworld expects it to be one of the stronger sellers in green, and in garnets in general.
However, there’s not a lot of production now, especially as Tanzania continues to more closely regulate its mining sector.
The emerald market, meanwhile, has seen a fair amount of change.
While the Ethiopian material offered a lot of promise, Robertson said it was difficult to figure out its positioning in the marketplace.
Now, the main source seems to be Zambia, where production is good and yields decent green stones.
The issue that really continues to affect the emerald marketplace, he said, is enhancements.
“Every time there is some understanding of enhancements at the retail level and with the consumers, the producers start coming up with new narrative or new nomenclature, and it really confuses things,” Robertson said.
7. Garnets are currently the “trade darling.”
More designers are using garnets, especially in alternate colors like the purples that have popped up recently. And even though prices have risen, garnets continue to offer affordable color alternatives to a number of gems.
Robertson said they expect garnets to have a strong run this year.
8. Zircons offer similar advantages.
There’s more interest in zircon again because of its affordability, according to Gemworld, and that interest is extending beyond blue to include the earth tones.
9. Some labs have changed their alexandrite labeling.
According to Drucker, some labs are now listing any color-change chrysoberyl as alexandrite, which is
confusing some dealers when it comes to pricing.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.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.
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%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.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
