#1.) Why did AGTA Place a Ban on All Synthetics?

Why Now? Why Not Just Synthetic Diamond?

Gary Roskin -

Roskin Gem News Report -

Gary Roskin

Roskin Gem News Report

By now, you should have read that the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) plans on banning all synthetic gem materials from their GemFair trade shows beginning in 2025.

Why? Why does AGTA want to ban all synthetic gemstones from the show floor?

Synthetic colored gems have been around for quite a while. Why ban them now?

If it's because of the confusion within the diamond industry, why not just ban synthetic diamonds?

Do cultured pearls cause confusion with the sale of natural pearls?

We spoke to John Ford, AGTA's CEO to find out why now.

And AGAIN - from the top three last week

#3.) Christie’s Antiquities: Ancient Intaglio and Cameo Rings

Gary Roskin –

Roskin Gem News Report –

Tuesday's April 9th auction at Christie’s New York, sold a good number of ancient hardstone gem carvings set in gold that have withstood the test of time – many of them being 20, 21, and 22 centuries old! Anthony DeMarco introduces the exhibition in the latest Rapaport Magazine, and we follow up with a few additional pieces of interest.

Tap here for more on this historic Auction!

ONE MONTH SPECIAL - 5 Weeks in MAY

Advertise your Show, your Lab, your Business, your Association, your School, your Product, or just support the report ... right before the major summer shows!

One month’s worth of Newsletter Banner Ads - $350, or

One month’s worth of Newsletter Box Ads - $150

... add on the Magazine banner or box Ad for just an additional $100

Tap here to order your MAY MADNESS Ad space!

The AGS (American Gem Society) "Ideal Report" is now being offered as a supplement to any Gemological Institute of America (GIA) natural or laboratory-grown D-to-Z diamond grading report.

The AGS Ideal Report provides "Light Performance," including an ASET Map.

"The AGS report complements a GIA diamond grading report to capture a diamond’s beauty holistically. The AGS Ideal Report measures light performance, including brightness, fire, and contrast, from center to edge, and can include an ASET Map, which is a visual guide of a diamond’s cut grade."

Note that this supplemental report is only provided for diamonds with a Light Performance grade of 0 and termed AGS Ideal. 

Tap here to learn more about GIA's added AGS Ideal Report!

Rare Ottoman artifacts from as far back as the 16th century, went on sale at Sotheby's London yesterday - April 24.

In the sale were gem & gem-set objects, including an early Mughal carved green nephrite jade jar from the 16th and 17th century, a diamond-set and enameled gold card case from the 19th century, and an agate cup from Sultan Selim III given to Catherine the Great from the 17th and 18th century.

The London Sotheby's Spring auction "epitomises the artistic brilliance of Islamic and Indian civilisations" notes Sotheby's. This is The Belgrave Collection, a selection carefully curated over 40 years with "a discerning eye."

Tap here to view some important results of the "Arts of the Islamic World and India" Sotheby's London!

When you think of High Jewelry watches, do you think of Gucci?

Introducing new high complications, Gucci's first minute repeater and jumping hour tourbillon watches "are inspired by nature's rhythms and geometric beauty."

This one specifically caught our eye... "set with multicoloured gemstones, with 40mm-diameter, in white or rose gold case. Twelve gemstones comprise of rubellites, fire opals, garnets, beryl, peridot, tourmaline, topaz, tanzanite and amethysts, surrounding the dancing hours flying tourbillon."

"The tourbillon, GGC.1976.DS, is named after the Orion Nebula NGC 1976, one of the galaxy’s brightest nebulas. It powers the clockwise rotation of the 12 gems, and can be stopped and started with a push of the crown."

Tap here to see more of Gucci's High watch collections!

Associated Press of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP)

"Swat has reserves of 70 million carats of emerald, Mardan has reserves of 9 million carats of pink topaz, Kohistan has 10 million carats worth of reserves of peridot, In Hunza, pink to red crystals of ruby is found."

National Productivity Organization (NPO), Pakistan in collaboration with Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Japan is organizing an International Workshop on value addition of gemstone products for compliance with international standards from 22nd to 25th April 2024 here on Monday.

The said workshop is attended by 18 overseas participants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam from APO member countries, 11 local participants and sessions will be delivered by the international resource speakers from Thailand.

The main objective of this program is to review international standards on gemstone products, to provide comprehensive knowledge of cutting, polishing, designing and heating techniques, and to enhance understanding of best practices and technological advances in gemstone value chains including manufacturing, standardization and trading.

Tap here to read more about this Pakistan initiative!

AGS and GIA Announce Joint Event for September 2025

‘Converge’ brings together AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium

GIA Press Release

CARLSBAD, Calif. – April 25, 2024 – Two leading gem and jewelry industry events will come together in September 2025, offering insight into cutting-edge gemological research, education, training and opportunities for gem and jewelry professionals to network on a global level.

Converge, to be held September 7-10, 2025, will unite Conclave, the American Gem Society’s (AGS) premier annual educational and networking event, and Symposium, GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) industry-leading research and education gathering held every five to seven years, into one powerful event.

Tap here to read the complete story on this upcoming 2025 event!

Eclectic gems, both vintage and contemporary, are back. Jewellery historian Katherine van Dell on where to find enduring and future classics.

Katherine van Dell

The Times

Jewellery has always evolved alongside fashion. Earrings, for example, almost disappeared from western culture between 1840 and 1850, when the Victorians favoured floral tiaras atop hair severely parted down the centre, swept over the ears and joined in a bun at the nape. Similarly, brooches have largely fallen out of favour today, mainly because many modern fabrics can’t bear their weight. However, a tuxedo jacket can comfortably support a heavy brooch that would tear an evening gown, and the brooch has become a feature of dressy menswear, with designers and stylists placing pins on the lapels of artists and actors.

Tap here to read the full feature on making that statement with your jewelry (jewellery)!

Creamer Media Reporter

Mining Weekly Magazine

Diamond miner De Beers, a subsidiary of diversified miner Anglo American, has lowered its production guidance for the 2024 full-year to between 26-million and 29-million carats in response to the higher-than-average levels of inventory in the market and expectations of only a gradual recovery in demand for rough diamonds.

It had previously targeted production of 29-million to 32-million carats this year.

As a result of the lower production, the unit cost guidance for the full-year has been revised upwards, to about $90/ct, from $80/ct previously.

Tap here to read the full story in Mining Weekly - De Beers lowering production!

ASX-listed Australian Lucapa Diamond Company has sold three exceptional diamonds recovered from the Lulo mine, in Angola, for $10.5-million at tender.

The tender was concluded on April 19 and was conducted by Sodiam, in Luanda.

The three Type IIa white diamonds, weighing 203 ct., 116 ct., and 43 ct., made up Lucapa’s first tender of Lulo diamonds for this year.

Tap here to see all three big diamonds from Lucapa!

Photomicrography: Images from Within

Images by Sammantha Maclachlan

This is Ramaura Synthetic Ruby.

Featured here is a Ramaura synthetic ruby crystal which shows beautiful angular growth lines along with flux crystals. The crossed polarising filter allows us to see the strain pattern within the crystal which is invisible with the naked eye.

This is a stack of 32 images with magnification of around 40x.

Sammantha Maclachlan is an accomplished gemmologist and photomicrographer. Her attention to gemmological detail and beauty is evident within the incredible shots shown here and in the Roskin Gem News Report online magazine. We thank Sammantha for sharing her images, and welcome you to enjoy the page!

Tap Here for more Gemmological Eye-Candy from Sammantha Maclachlan!

London-listed Gem Diamonds has recovered a 169.15 ct Type IIa white diamond from the Letšeng mine, in Lesotho.

The find marks the fourth diamond greater than 100 ct that Gem has recovered in the year-to-date!

Tap here to read a bit about Gem Diamond Mining Co.

Financial Times - SUBSCRIPTION

Diamond market shows serious cracks from man-made stones

Diamonds may be forever but they are also seriously on sale. Natural rough diamond prices have collapsed 26 per cent in the past couple of years. Tepid US and Chinese demand for diamond jewellery hasn’t helped. But most ring fingers point at the increasing popularity of cheaper laboratory grown diamonds (LGD). This fracturing of the diamond market is set to last. After a brief pandemic-era boom in diamond jewellery, miners are battling to whittle down oversupply of gems. Anglo-American’s De Beers, along with Russia’s Alrosa, control two-thirds of the rough diamond supply.

DeBeers this week said its rough sales dropped 23 per cent in the first quarter. It is not enough. While rough stone inventory has stabilised of late, polished diamond stocks remain high. At more than $20bn at the end of 2023, these were near five-year highs, up a third since the end of 2022, according to Bank of America. Worse, as LGDs have taken market share, their prices have declined too, to about 15 per cent or less of their natural counterparts.

Tap here to read more of the Financial Times feature!

Harriet Whitaker

https://www.professionaljeweller.com/

The Strong and Precious Art Foundation hosted an exclusive private jewellery exhibition showcasing a selection of Ukrainian jewels. Each piece at the exhibition presented a “rich history,” raising awareness for the Ukrainian cause.

The event was held on April 11 in Washington DC, and featured six jewels, each telling a unique story of craftsmanship, heritage, and symbolism inspired by Ukraine.

Hosted at Ukraine House, the venue is a hub for Ukrainian culture and hospitality. The occasion marked the second Strong and Precious exhibition in the USA.

Tap here to read more about this important event!

Megan Jones

Shropshire Star News

A 20-carat diamond bracelet dating back over 100 years was under the hammer at Trevanion Auctioneers & Valuers in Whitchurch this week. Purportedly once owned by Princess Irena Obolensky, it was last purchased at Christie's 2005 Important Jewellery Auction.

An early 20th century diamond set bracelet, circa 1920, the seven openwork square panels pave set with mixed cut diamonds, with curved double row diamond set spacers, the hinge hidden as a seventh curved spacer, all set in white metal and open to the reverse, 16.5cm long, 43gms, unmarked, total diamond weight estimated 20 carats.

Tap here to read on about this quiet little auction!

MELISSA STEWART

CNA Luxury Magazine

From Ayden Sng’s Bulgari Serpenti necklace, Rui En’s statement Cartier necklace, Zoe Tay’s sapphire and ruby rings and more.

An awards show is never complete without dazzling jewellery. At Star Awards 2024, the celebrities put on a display of some truly covetable jewels.

Tap here to see who is wearing what!

ONE MONTH SPECIAL - 5 Weeks in MAY

Advertise your Show, your Lab, your Business, your Association, your School, your Product, or just support the report ... right before the major summer shows!

One month’s worth of Newsletter Banner Ads - $350, or

One month’s worth of Newsletter Box Ads - $150

... add on the Magazine banner or box Ad for just an additional $100

Tap here to order your MAY MADNESS Ad space!

Brussels Jewellery Week:

April 25–May 5, 2024

Celebrate the cutting-edge realm of contemporary jewelry, pushing boundaries and redefining traditional norms. Brussels Jewellery Week platform serves as a meeting ground for both established and emerging artists, passionate collectors, and a diverse global audience.

Save the date. Tap here for more information!

Mad About Jewelry 2024

May 5–8, 2024

At the Museum of Arts and Design’s annual benefit sale of contemporary jewelry, you’ll find work by 50 artists from 19 countries.

A gala brunch and preview shopping for ticket purchasers takes place May 4.

MAD About Jewelry has become known as the ultimate pop-up shop for contemporary, artist-made jewelry, where collectors and jewelry enthusiasts have the rare opportunity to meet and acquire pieces from some of the most innovative creators in the field. MAD About Jewelry is free with museum admission.

Save the date. Tap here for more information!

SNAG x San Diego June 5–8, 2024

SNAG (the Society of North American Goldsmiths) : 51st Conference.

With 1.4 million people, San Diego is the second largest city in California. The San Diego/Tijuana region is the largest bi-national conurbation shared between the United States and Mexico with a population of 7.1 million.

San Diego/Tijuana have been designated as the 2024 World Design Capital, exemplifying connection, cooperation, and collaboration. Come to SNAG’s conference to gain new creative inspiration and foster lifelong bonds of collaboration and friendship within the jewelry and metals community

Tap here for more conference information!

First up ...

Informa Markets is preparing to raise the curtain on the leading B2B trade show in the gem and Jewellery industry. In the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, under exhibition standards that have proven successful around the world at the Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok 2024 (JGAB 2024) on May 1—4, 2024, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Flooring the carpet for Thai entrepreneurs to move forward and create endless business opportunities with more than 500 exhibitors from 15 countries around the world and quality buyers from more than 60 countries, bigger than ever with a 50% increase in exhibition space, surrounded by fashion workshops, seminars, and activities leading business trends. Answering every need for business growth on the international stage.

Tap here for a quick review from the shows.

And check out the calendar below for more!