Digital marketplace Gembridge has reported sales of a variety of exceptional coloured gemstones to both trade and consumers, including rare emeralds, sapphires and spinels, underscoring the resilience of the high end of the market and driving forward the digital transformation of the gemstone and jewellery industry.
Highlighted sales include an 8.35-ct Colombian emerald birthday gift, bought for extremely good value from the trade, and personally delivered when Covid threatened to delay shipping; a pair of exquisite 12.80-ct morganites from Mozambique; a 4.36-ct Madagascan sapphire, and a 7.78-ct oval green sapphire from Australia acquired from Gembridge by a buyer who had been searching the world for a green sapphire.
Other highlights include a 10.81-ct Imperial topaz with an elongated pear-shape, bought direct from Brazil; a pair of perfectly matched 2.06-ct red spinels, discovered on Gembridge and purchased directly from the trade; and an 8.94-carat rubellite cut from the rough in Brazil.
“The sales underscore the increased confidence of consumers and the trade to deal in gemstones digitally, knowing that they can trust the marketplace and choose from a huge variety of offered goods,” said Gembridge CEO Nick Marrett.
Gembridge Chairman Tony Brooke said, “This selection of some of our recent sales underlines the strength of the high end of the market, as well as consistent advances in the digital transformation of the global gemstones and jewellery industry. Gembridge is developing a deep marketplace offering an unrivalled assortment of gemstones and gem-set jewellery to both consumers and the trade.”
While loose stones make up the majority of Gembridge’s sales, the marketplace has reported an increase in sales of gem-set jewellery, as well as enquiries for bespoke gemstones.
“Spinels, tourmalines and aquamarines regularly sell on Gembridge when priced under US$5,000,” said Gembridge Commercial Director Jean Jureidini.
“These are normally purchased straight from our online Showcase as loose stones. A premium segment has developed over the past 12 months, primarily with sales of sapphires priced between US$5,000 and $15,000, mostly originating from Sri Lanka and Madagascar.
“Above this is an exclusive segment, led by Colombian emeralds and paraibas from Mozambique, priced between US$35,000 and $50,000. This segment is split between direct sales from our Showcase and requests received from our high-net-worth buyers, which are then supplied by our global members.”
Buyers appreciate the clear imagery and video, full disclosure policy, standardised cataloguing, and the ability to negotiate on any stone, Jureidini added.
The Gembridge community now has representation all over the world, so, when asked, it can respond quickly with an offering of coloured gemstones and jewellery of quality and variety.
Every trade member is encouraged to “price to sell” - and every listing includes a Make an Offer button to facilitate negotiation, helping buyers to enjoy the best prices online.
New developments at Gembridge include launching a private sales arm for stones valued above US$250,000.
“We have already had several remarkable stones on consignment between our members, including a pair of 35-ct Colombian emeralds, a stunning Thai ruby, and a 45-ct Sri Lankan sapphire,” Jureidini said.
Gembridge offers digital marketplaces for both the coloured gemstones trading community, and for consumers, known as Friends of Gembridge.
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Today Gembridge welcomes members from 60 countries and is represented by 16 Ambassadors, with Hubs in Shanghai, New York, Los Angeles, Chattanooga, Minas Gerais, Bogota, London, Geneva, Munich, Nairobi, Beirut, Jaipur, Colombo, Bangkok, Singapore, and Sydney.
Gembridge is a commercial member of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation and is a member of the ICA, International Colored Gemstone Association. Gembridge is regulated by Singapore’s Ministry of Law for purposes of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, in cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force, which is leading regulatory reforms across 200 countries.
