Responsible sourcing of coloured gemstones will receive ever-increasing attention and become progressively more important to consumers, predicts Gemfields and Kagem Mining CEO Sean Gilbertson.
The observation follows Gemfields’ recent contribution of new data and insights to independent global property consultancy Knight Frank’s latest Luxury Investment Index.
Gemfields operates the Kagem emerald mine, in Zambia, in partnership with that country’s Industrial Development Corporation and is actively promoting the use of responsibly sourced Zambian emeralds in the global market.
“The swing towards precious coloured gemstones is overwhelming.
The past decade has seen the world record prices for emeralds and rubies surpass those of colourless diamonds on a per carat basis. It surely can’t be long before sapphires too overtake diamonds,” says Gilbertson.
Gemfields expects vibrant consumer interest and sector growth to continue.
“In this issue of our Luxury Investment Index, we take an in-depth look at the performance of coloured gemstones,” says Knight Frank luxury research head Andrew Shirley.
“The interesting story here is that coloured gemstones are outperforming the wider jewellery market, with some significant sales already [having taken place] in 2019.”