Gemfields gains £9.2m from its latest auction
GEMFIELDS, the precious gems miner that has actress Mila Kunis as its brand ambassador, yesterday said it sold 11.6m carats of emerald and beryl at its latest auction, raising $15.5m (£9.2m) in revenues.
The Aim-listed company said 21 companies attended and bid at the auction, which was the fifth to be held in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, since April 2013.
The average price was $3.61 per carat, excluding the sale of 1.5 tonnes of low grade beryl – a new record for lower quality gem auctions.
“The role played by Zambian emeralds in the international market has never been more important and we remain delighted that they are the emerald of choice for so many,” said chief executive Ian Harebottle.
“We will seek to further expand their reach with our determined marketing initiatives and by seeking a wider client base internationally, including our new audience of rough ruby buying clients.”