GEMSWORLD | 11 | 2019/20 精辟洞见 Market development Thanks to the internet, consumers of all ages are more discerning. “Many buyers know exactly what and how they want to buy and at what price range,” noted Redmayne. Customers are very knowledgeable and targeted at their purchase, some even name the laboratory from which they want the certificates to be issued, he added. “We see many younger customers in their 30s, 40s, even late 20s who are quite comfortable with investing in coloured gemstones online,” Redmayne continued. Christie’s pioneered the online platform for jewellery auction a few years ago and Shek is glad that such an initiative opened doors to a whole new coloured gemstone market. “We’ve broadened our clientele to a much wider age group and regions, and we can try new items that are usually not popular at traditional seasonal sales. Demand from online buyers gave us a chance to look for unconventional items that could catch the attention of buyers who are constantly looking for non-traditional gem materials,” she explained. Combating challenges Recentglobaluncertaintieshaveundoubtedly had an adverse impact on the business environment, which in turn, affected market demand for luxury products. As such, industry players remain cautiously optimistic about the future of the gemstone market. Natural resources are limited while demand for and prices of top-quality gems are only going to get higher. The same is true with jewellery, especially vintage and antique products, which are gaining steam in the market, according to Redmayne. Shek mentioned that some clients had expressed concerns over the recent political situation in Hong Kong and considered changing their travel plans. She further commented, “Summer has always been a slow time in the jewellery market. We are now focusing on preparing for upcoming sales, and looking forward to showcasing collections of exclusive gems to our buyers.” Chu is also busy compiling the fall collection with her global team of jewellery experts. “We are excited about several lots of exceptional items, which we are going to reveal this fall. Among the top lots is a coloured gemstone piece,” she said. The rising importance of Chinese buyers has injected immense energy into the coloured gemstone market. Like many gemstone dealers, Gilbertson is excited to see continued growth in China. “The coloured gemstone market in China is huge. The major obstacle are import costs, which include a 10 percent duty and 13 percent VAT. The tax for gemstones has been reduced from 36 percent to 23 percent since March 2019, but further reductions would greatly assist the coloured gemstone market,” he noted. Gilbertson added that consumer-focused marketing activities are essential to further boosting the gemstone sector. A steady supply of responsibly mined gem materials allows designers and jewellery houses to create collections that appeal to consumers and discerning investors. The growing understanding of a gemstone’s origin, responsible mining and corporate social responsibilities are crucial not only to key players in the industry now but also to consumers. Gilbertson stressed that transparency, legitimacy and integrity are key values at Gemfields. “The industry is rightly undergoing heightened supply chain scrutiny with consumers increasingly asking for certificates of origin, requiring much improved knowledge and documentation at the retail level,” he added. ‘The Crimson Flame’ ring with a cushion-shaped Burmese ruby of 15.04 carats raised HK$141.8 million (around US$18.14 million) at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in December 2015, setting a world record | 15.04 克拉红宝石指环以141,800,000港元(克拉价1,221,604 美元)在佳士得2015年12月拍卖会上成交，创红宝石克拉 价世界纪录
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