International News
Kagem to recommence focused open-pit mining
Gemfields is pleased to announce that Kagem Mining Limited (‘Kagem’), the emerald mine in Zambia which is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% owned by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia (‘IDC’), will shortly recommence a programme of focused open-pit mining to recover more premium emeralds.
As announced on 23 December 2024, alongside other cost cutting measures, Kagem suspended all mining from 1 January 2025 to focus on processing ore from Kagem’s significant ore stockpile utilising the upgraded processing plant.
Emerald production from the processing plant in 2025 so far, in terms of carats recovered, has been in-line with the Company’s expectations, producing a lower proportion of higher-quality or premium emeralds than direct open-pit mining methods.
Kagem’s recent auction results, including the encouraging commercial-quality auction results released on 30 April 2025, has increased management confidence in the current emerald market and the decision has therefore been taken to recommence mining of two key production points in the Chama pit, with minimal waste mining, to recover premium emeralds for Kagem’s future higher-quality auctions. The decision to recommence full scale mining will continue to be assessed as market conditions develop.
International News
Cartier Romanov sapphire bracelet nets $4.9mn at Sotheby’s Geneva auction
The cushion-shaped sapphire attributed to onetime ownership of Russia’s imperial family was billed as a very rare stone, and had been expected to fetch between 850,000 and 1.7 million francs ($1 million and $2 million)
A Cartier bracelet that was previously part of the imperial Russian crown jewels more than doubled its high estimate to bring in CHF 4.1 million ($4.9 million) at a recent Sotheby’s auction in Geneva.
The cushion-shaped sapphire attributed to onetime ownership of Russia’s imperial family was billed as a very rare stone, and had been expected to fetch between 850,000 and 1.7 million francs ($1 million and $2 million) at the Geneva auction.
The piece centers the cushion-shaped, 197.80-carat Romanov sapphire with the bracelet featuring brilliant-cut diamonds and accented with modified shield-step-cut diamonds. It has an interchangeable engraved rock crystal center embellished with triangular diamonds. The lot was the top seller, beating its CHF 850,000 to CHF 1.7 million ($1 million to $2 million) estimate.
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