FOCUS 12 | JNA Mar/Apr 2022 Berr also feels that Paraiba tourmaline is highly favoured along with other blue stones, including cobalt spinel, tanzanite and indicolite, as well as amethyst, which are appreciated in her main markets, namely the US and Europe. “All the precious gems will be popular this year,” said Lewis Allen, CEO of Thailand-based Crown Color, which sells internationally. “We see a strong demand for pink sapphire.” He also notes a re-emergence of Mahenge spinels, with new production in Tanzania producing many new and large sizes. Colombian emeralds continue to be favourites. “From the second half of 2021, we have seen a 30 per cent increase in demand,” disclosed Guillermo Galvis, president of the Colombian Emerald Exporters Association. The biggest markets for emeralds are the US, China, the Middle East and India. New sources of sapphire and ruby have been found in Cauca, southwestern Colombia, and will hit markets later, he added. Gemolithos CEO Ioannis Alexandris, who closely follows the world’s major auctions, remarked, “It is no surprise that the Big Three dominate sales, along with coloured diamonds, and that prices have risen dramatically.” He likewise observes greater demand for soft colours, such as in kunzite and light amethyst, as well as pale yellow and pink sapphires. “Teal and peacock sapphires as well as polychrome parti sapphires are attracting more consumers,” offered New York-based Joe Menzie, president of gemstone company Joseph Menzie Inc, whose main market is the US. “Red and pink spinels, as lesser-priced substitutions for ruby, are also enjoying increased demand. The many colours of garnet and tourmaline will likewise see renewed interest.” Duncan McLauchlan, owner of UK-based McLauchlan Gems, agrees that hot designer gems are teal sapphires, Paraiba tourmaline and spinel, noting though that supply in any reasonable size and quality is limited. Gemstone dealer Evan Caplan believes that spinel – especially red, pink and blue ones – will become even more popular along with other gemstones that are in short supply such as Brazilian alexandrite, Padparadscha sapphire and Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline. Caplan has also achieved great success with fine cat’s eye chrysoberyls, star sapphires, trapiche emeralds and Russian demantoid garnets. The last few years have indeed seen a substantial rise in pastel Padparadscha sapphire, Paraiba tourmaline and, more recently, grey spinel and teal sapphire, according to Helen Molesworth, marketing director for Singaporebased gem platform Gembridge. She predicts these colour ranges – including polychrome gems with green-blue and purple-grey tones – will become more popular as people gain confidence and trust their own personal colour choices. “We also 1.42-carat Mahenge spinel set in an 18-karat gold ring with diamonds from Philip Zahm Designs Philip Zahm Designs的18K金 钻石戒指，以1.42克拉的马亨盖尖晶石为主石 Teal and peacock sapphires as well as polychrome parti sapphires are attracting more consumers. Red and pink spinels, as lesser-priced substitutions for ruby, are also enjoying increased demand. The many colours of garnet and tourmaline will likewise see renewed interest. – Joe Menzie, president of Joseph Menzie Inc
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