GEMSWORLD | 37 | 2024 SPOTLIGHT 市场聚焦 Asia is the biggest luxury consumer now. Asian buyers believe in the merchandise and would go for tangible assets. They will invest in emeralds, rubies or sapphires and purchase repeatedly because they understand the value of the gems. – Joseph Gad of Joseph Gad Inc end-2023, per-carat prices of commercial goods under 3 carats ranged between US$150 and US$300. Medium goodquality stones of 5 carats to 10 carats sold for US$1,000 to US$2,000 per carat while upper-range gems had a US$3,000 to US$5,000 price per carat. Ansari said his company sold more Colombian emeralds as opposed to Zambian emeralds, driven primarily by China and the US. Exceptional Colombian gems of 7 carats and up are priced US$7,000 to US$20,000 per carat, depending on cleanliness and clarity. Emergreen Exports’ main markets are Hong Kong, mainland China and the US. Brazilian emerald miner Belmont Group likewise witnessed a “remarkable” 2023, owing to a substantial growth in business that it attributed to rising appreciation for emeralds, steady and reliable production, and a heightened focus on sustainability. According to Belmont Group President Marcelo Ribeiro, both premium- and commercial-quality emeralds were highly sought after in the trade. The emerald market also offers a broader pricing spectrum ranging from US$100 to over US$20,000 per carat depending on colour, clarity and size and whether the stone underwent treatments. The company’s top markets are Asia, Europe and the US. “These have proven to be particularly receptive markets, attracted not only by the enchanting appeal of Belmont’s emeralds but by the deep-rooted commitment to sustainable practices within our operations,” noted Ribeiro. Calibrated sizes are similarly in demand as these are easier to sell compared to free sizes, according to Asif Ullah, director of Colombian and Zambian emerald dealer Sparkle Gems Ltd. Its goods are highly favoured by buyers from Hong Kong, Europe, the US and China. Ullah considers current prices “reasonable” but admitted that rough emerald prices have been soaring since 2021. Banking on the company’s solid business relationships with buyers, he said those truly adept in the gemstone trade are willing to invest in high-quality gems. “In our business, people who understand quality will still buy at current prices. Our clients never compromise on quality,” he added. Asian market US-based dealer Joseph Gad Inc credits the company’s robust performance in 2023 to a combination of solid partnerships, top-quality goods and consistent pricing, according to company owner Joseph Gad. “We have a strong concession with miners in Bogota, Colombia. As such, we can provide a steady supply of merchandise. Our prices are reasonable. We have had a consistent client base in Asia since 1988,” remarked Gad. Emeralds’ success in Asia is fuelled by the market’s inherent affinity for green, which is an auspicious colour in most Asian cultures. And Colombian emeralds, considered among the rarest in the world, fulfil this requirement. Even global jewellery brands are leaning towards Colombian emeralds, added the company official. “Asia is the biggest luxury consumer now. Asian buyers believe in the merchandise and would go for tangible assets,” explained Gad. “They will invest in emeralds, rubies or sapphires and purchase repeatedly because they understand the value of the gems.” Joseph Gad Inc has offices in New York, Colombia and Switzerland as well as a satellite office in Hong Kong. Ribeiro of Belmont, meanwhile, highlighted China’s important role in the emerald business. He explained, “China
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