International News
Gemfields Auction Results: Higher-quality emeralds
Gemfields announced the results of an auction comprised of higher-quality rough emeralds held during the period 25 August – 11 September 2025.
Highlights: August-September 2025 Higher-Quality Emerald Auction
- Total auction revenues of USD 32.0 million
- 38 lots were offered for sale, of which all were sold (100%)
- Average realised price of USD 160.78 per carat
- The 52 auctions of Kagem gemstones held since July 2009 have generated USD 1,122 million in total revenues
- The auction included an exceptional gemstone named Imboo (‘buffalo’), weighing 11,685 carats. Imboo is the latest, and largest, remarkable gemstone discovered at the Kagem mine.
Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ Managing Director of Product & Sales, commented:
“This September auction marks Kagem’s first high-quality emerald sale since the disappointing result in November 2024. Mining operations at Kagem were suspended in January 2025 in response to market uncertainty and challenges relating to the oversupply of Zambian emeralds. Following signs of recovery at the April commercial-quality auction, two mining points were reopened in May.
While the wider market continues to navigate mixed sentiment and tariff uncertainty, today’s auction result has validated these decisions and delivered a highly positive outcome. Strong demand was evident across the grades, with robust prices achieved.
We are grateful to our customers for their continued support and recognition of the quality of Kagem’s emeralds, as reflected in the prices realised. As market leaders, we remain committed to managing supply responsibly and in the best interests of our customers and downstream partners. A huge thanks goes out to the Kagem team for their hard work and dedication in achieving this result.”
The auction lots were made available for private, in-person viewings by customers in Bangkok. Following the viewings, the auctions took place via an online auction platform specifically adapted for Gemfields and which permitted customers from multiple jurisdictions to participate in a sealed-bid process.
The rough emeralds sold were extracted by Kagem (which is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia). The proceeds of this auction will be fully repatriated to Kagem in Zambia with all royalties due to the Government of the Republic of Zambia being paid on the full sales prices achieved at the auction.
International News
AGTA appeals US Government to Scrap 10% Import Tariff on Gemstones
Trade body seeks exemption for coloured gemstones under new temporary tariff regime, with potential implications for diamonds.
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has formally appealed to the US government to remove the newly imposed 10% global import tariff on gemstones, and potentially diamonds, warning of its impact on the trade.
The tariff was announced on February 20 after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In response, the administration introduced a temporary 10% import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The measure will remain in effect for 150 days unless Congress votes to extend it, though further tariff mechanisms have not been ruled out.
AGTA has submitted a formal request to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), urging that precious and semiprecious coloured gemstones be added to the exception list under Annex I or Annex II. The association argued that these stones are not mined domestically in the US and therefore should qualify for exemption.
Previously, AGTA’s lobbying efforts contributed to diamonds and gemstones being included in Annex III — a list of products eligible for potential exemption from duties for “aligned” countries. This had placed Indian diamonds and gemstones on track for relief following a prospective US-India trade agreement. However, it remains unclear whether Annex III provisions apply under the new tariff framework that recently took effect.
If the across-the-board exemption request is denied, AGTA has asked the USTR to confirm whether Annex III remains a viable pathway for country-specific tariff relief on coloured gemstones.
While the current petition focuses on coloured gemstones, AGTA noted that trade experts believe any exemption granted in this category could effectively extend to diamonds, as seen in past trade agreements such as the US–European Union deal.
“We will continue to work tirelessly toward eliminating tariffs on gemstone imports into the US. We remain fully committed to this effort — giving up is not an option,” said AGTA President Bruce Bridges and CEO John Ford.
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