International News
Zambia Lifts 15% Export Duty on Precious Gemstones
Gemfields Group Limited has expressed strong support for the Zambian government’s decision to suspend the 15% export duty on precious gemstones and metals, a move expected to significantly boost the country’s emerald industry. The suspension, announced by Zambia’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, is effective immediately, meaning the duty will no longer apply to emeralds mined by Kagem Mining Limited. The company is majority-owned by Gemfields (75%) with the remaining 25% held by Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation.
Gemfields CEO, Sean Gilbertson, lauded the government’s swift action, stating, “We express our sincere thanks to President Hakainde Hichilema’s government for their prompt and impressive action in addressing the 15% export duty on precious gemstones. The Zambian emerald sector has experienced exceptional growth over the past 16 years and is now the world’s largest emerald exporter. This decision signals a clear commitment to fostering growth and job creation in Zambia, putting our industry back on track for continued success.”
International News
Swiss International Gemlab Launches with Proprietary AI for Precise Colored Gemstone Grading
Swiss International Gemlab promises Faster, More Accurate Certification, Ensures Report Consistency
Three veteran gemologists today announced the opening of Swiss International Gemlab (SIG), a cutting-edge facility leveraging proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance grading accuracy and consistency for colored gemstones.
Founded by Willy Bieri, Lawrence Hahn, and Matthias Alessandri—senior experts who have collaborated for over a decade—SIG will operate from state-of-the-art locations in Lucerne, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. The lab promises faster results, unmatched transparency, and scientific rigor, insulated from external influences.
SIG delivers a full spectrum of services, including gemstone identification, origin determination, treatment analysis, and advanced color grading. At its core is SIG-AI Assistance, a proprietary system that cross-references analytical data against structured databases to detect anomalies, ensure report consistency, and slash interpretation time.
With a standard turnaround of five business days—plus expedited options for urgent needs—and real-time status tracking, SIG sets a new benchmark for efficiency and reliability in gem certification. The lab will make its global debut at this year’s GemGenève in May, offering on-site services to industry professionals.
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