Gemfields reported revenues of $26.8 million from its latest higher-quality rough emerald auction, with strong demand continuing for top-tier stones despite broader market caution driven by geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty.
The auction, held from 4 to 21 May 2026, saw 36 of 37 lots sold, representing a 97% sell-through rate. Of the 185,135 carats offered, 183,385 carats were sold, achieving an average realised price of $146.08 per carat.
The rough emeralds were mined by Kagem in Zambia. Buyers viewed the lots in Bangkok before bidding through Gemfields’ online sealed-bid auction platform.
Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ Managing Director of Product & Sales, said “While demand for higher-quality emeralds remains stable, the market is presently exercising a degree of caution, influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions and prevailing macroeconomic uncertainty…Competition and pricing for the top-tier emeralds remained particularly strong.”
Banks also pointed to the Indian rupee’s roughly 10% depreciation against the US dollar since Kagem’s previous higher-quality auction in September 2025 as an added challenge for many customers.