Gemfields sold mostly lower-quality rough ruby and corundum from its Montepuez ruby deposit in Mozambique, with an average price per carat of $4.03.

Tanzania's Energy and Minerals Minister George Simbachawene said the country's 2010 moratorium on exports of large rough tanzanite aimed at benefiting the local gemstone market had not succeede and larger stones are still being smuggled out of the country.

After several months of discussions and rumor, the Zambian government finally approved a reduced increase in mining royalties and set its mining royalties at 9% for both open-pit and underground mines.

"With rubies there is a fairly healthy uplift potential. ... Over the next couple of years we should be able to double" prices, Ian Harebottle told Bloomberg.
 

 The bride wore a dress set with diamonds and large emeralds, as well as a sparkling diamond tiara set with six large pear-shaped emeralds along with a large diamond necklace set with at least 15 emeralds of various sizes.

Platinum Guild International, reports in its 2014 Retail Trade Barometer study that rising sales of bridal and gem-set jewelry are boorting the demand for platinum in China, with an 11-percent increase in ounce sales last year.

Close to half of China's wealthiest individuals favor investing in jade and jewelry, according to a recent report. The China Ultra High Net Wealth Report 2014-2015 says there are more than 17,000 Chinese who hold assets worth at least $81 million, from about 1,000 in the period 2008 to 2013.

 The gemstone miner said the new Capricorn Sapphire brand will be introduced in phases and said only fully-certified sapphire from Australia will be sold under the brand in an attempt to provide customers with a guaranteed proof of origin. Sapphire will be sold through a two-tier sales system, consisting of sight and auction sales with commercial buyers and through an online portal for the general retail market.

 Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard is collaborating with Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director of Chopard, in the design and creation of a set of Green Carpet High Jewellery for the 68th Cannes Film Festival in May.

 A Hong Kong-based collector bought a jadeite and diamond platinum necklace at an auction at the Grogan & Company's Beacon Hill gallery in Boston, Massachusetts. He paid $120,000 for the necklace, overshooting its pre-sale estimate of $4,000 to $6,000.

 The ICA in Thailand held a Reception Party at the Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair on February 26.

 The following people have been approved as ICA members in Japan: Akshay Prakash Parekh, Trilok Dia Co Ltd; Gauri Kandira, Anjali Jewels Co Ltd; Vardhman Jain, Kushal Impex Inc; Maneesh Pal Singh, Noor International Ltd; Hiroshi Kitawaki, Central Gem Laboratory; Hiroyuki Takada, Takada Jewelry; and Vinod Modi, Raghav Gems.

In India, the new members are as follows: Sahil Jain, Rahul Exports; Amit Punjabi, T T Gems Pvt Ltd; and Pratish Popat, J.K. Gems & Jewellery Pvt Ltd. In Thailand, there is one new member: Shrayans Agrawal, DSD Thai Gems. Meanwhile, in China, there are two new members: Rui Li, Dazzling Gem; and Xi Bei (Helen) Zhang, Hunan Caidu Jewel Trading Ltd.