International News
The Jewelry Symposium to spotlight AI, traceability, and sustainable practices
The Jewelry Symposium (TJS), formerly known as the Santa Fe Symposium, the premier international event for jewellery manufacturing technology, will convene at the Detroit Marriott Troy from 17-20 May 2025, with a focus on cutting-edge technologies and sustainability.
This year’s symposium will expand beyond its traditional focus on metallurgy and craftsmanship to address critical industry issues like responsible sourcing, AI integration, and advanced manufacturing processes.
“We had an unprecedented number of proposals and abstracts for 2025, and we are delighted that many of our respected presenters will be focusing on timely and important issues like sustainability and technology,” says Linus Drogs, TJS Chairman of the Board. “We are grateful to the experts who will be sharing the latest information on CAD, AI, and additive manufacturing (3-D printing), as well as the group of professionals focused on sustainability related to a responsible supply chain and the tracing of coloured gemstones.”
The symposium will feature presentations from leading experts worldwide, catering to a diverse audience of bench jewellers, designers, manufacturers, students, retailers, and press. Among the technology-focused sessions, Scott Bradford of Gesswein will explore CAD techniques and software for enhanced jewellery design, while Jenny Luker of the Platinum Guild International (PGI) will unveil a new platinum alloy. Consultant Anne Miller will delve into the potential of generative AI, and Joseph Strauss of HJE Company, Inc. will discuss advancements in sinter-based 3-D printing.
Sustainability and ethical sourcing will also take centre stage, with Eric Branwaurt of Columbia Gem House and consultant Frank Cooper examining the traceability of coloured gemstones.
International News
Gemfields Reports Updated G-Factor Metrics, Highlights Government Revenue Contributions
10-year Data Underscores Fiscal Impact From Kagem and Montepuez Operations Amid Evolving Market Conditions
Gemfields has released its latest G-Factor for Natural Resources figures, offering an updated view of how its mining operations contribute to host government revenues. The data, announced on April 9, 2026 in London, covers the period up to December 31, 2025.
Over the 2016–2025 period, the company reported a G-Factor of 17% for its Kagem emerald mine in Zambia and 26% for Montepuez Ruby Mining in Mozambique. The G-Factor measures the share of revenue paid to governments through channels such as royalties, taxes, dividends, and other levies, offering a transparent benchmark of economic contribution.
Looking specifically at 2025, Montepuez Ruby Mining recorded a G-Factor of 23%, contributing $11.3 million to the Government of Mozambique on revenues of $49.9 million. Meanwhile, Kagem posted a lower 6% G-Factor, with $4.9 million paid to the Zambian government against revenues of $84.1 million.


The dip at Kagem was linked to operational disruptions, including a temporary suspension of mining between January and April 2025, as well as the impact of a 15% export tax on precious gemstones, which was later lifted in March 2025.
CEO Sean Gilbertson noted that the figures reflect varying operating and market conditions. While Montepuez saw lower premium ruby output, alongside a delayed auction and challenges such as illegal mining, its overall contribution ratio remained relatively stable.
Introduced in 2021, the G-Factor serves as a transparency tool for the natural resources sector, helping stakeholders assess how effectively resource extraction translates into public revenue.
Gemfields expects Kagem’s performance to move back toward its long-term average of around 18% as operations normalise and market dynamics improve. The company continues to advocate for wider industry adoption of the metric to enhance accountability and comparability across the sector.
The G-Factor for Natural Resources is expressed as a percentage and is calculated as:
Ap + Bp + Cp + Dp
—————————————
Ep
where:
· A = the total mineral royalty (tax on revenue) paid by the reporting company to the host
country government during the period
· B = the total corporation tax (tax on profit) paid by the reporting company to the host
country government during the period
· C = the dividends paid by the reporting company to the host country government during
the period (where the host country government is a shareholder in the reporting company)
· D = the total export taxes or export levies paid by the reporting company to the host
country government during the period
· E = the total revenues of the reporting company during the period
· p = the relevant period, typically calculated for each of (i) the prior year; (ii) the preceding
5 years and (iii) the preceding 10 years
· The sums actually paid during the period (rather than the sums accrued or falling due during
the period) are used for A, B, C, and D.
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