International News
Gemfields Generates $4.8 Million from Mini-Auction of Higher-Quality Emeralds
Mini-auction of unsold emeralds from November 2024 shows a promising rise in demand and prices, with 77% of lots sold.
Gemfields has reported strong results from its mini-auction held from February 19 to 21, 2025, featuring higher-quality emeralds that had remained unsold during its November 2024 auction. The event raised $4.8 million in revenue, signaling a notable recovery in demand and pricing within the emerald market.
Auction Performance:
- Total revenue: $4.8 million
- Lots sold: 10 out of 13 (77%)
- Carats sold: 45,864 out of 59,192 (77%)
- Average price per carat: $105.49
Adrian Banks, Managing Director of Product & Sales at Gemfields, highlighted that the auction offered a valuable opportunity to assess current market trends. “This auction exclusively featured unsold lots from Kagem’s November 2024 higher-quality emerald auction. With the same schedules in place, we could directly compare demand and pricing, and it was encouraging to see a notable increase in bids. Despite a subdued market sentiment, the rise in demand and pricing is a positive sign for the sector,” said Banks.
The emeralds sold were mined at the Kagem mine in Zambia, where Gemfields holds a 75% stake, while the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia owns the remaining 25%. Proceeds from the auction will be fully repatriated to Kagem, with royalties paid to the Government of Zambia based on the final sales prices.
With positive market signs emerging, Gemfields remains optimistic about the upcoming trade shows in Bangkok and Hong Kong, anticipating further recovery in the emerald market.
International News
Natural Diamonds Cut In Europe Will No Longer Face US Import Tariffs, Decision Is Expected To Benefit Antwerp
The Main Reason Was That The US Does Not Have A Domestic Diamond Mining Or Cutting Industry That Needs Protection From European imports.
Natural diamonds cut in Europe will no longer face US import tariffs after the US government removed the 10% duty that had been in place for the past six months.
The decision is expected to benefit Antwerp, Europe’s largest diamond cutting and trading hub. According to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), Belgium exported $2.1 billion worth of polished diamonds to the US in 2024.
The exemption was first introduced in September 2025 after discussions between the AWDC and the European Commission. The main reason was that the US does not have a domestic diamond mining or cutting industry that needs protection from European imports.
The reasons for granting the exemption remain unchanged- no diamonds are mined or cut in the US, so there is no local industry that requires tariff protection.
The earlier exemption ended in February 2026 after the US Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful. The US government then imposed a temporary 10% import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which also applied to European polished diamonds.
After this surcharge expired on July 24, the US introduced new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act. These tariffs target countries that do not have adequate measures to prevent imports linked to forced labor. However, natural diamonds cut in Europe have been exempted from these tariffs.
According to the US Trade Representative (USTR), the European Union is still strengthening its forced-labor regulations, which are expected to be fully implemented by December 2027.
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