FOCUS 焦点 16 | JNA May/June 2024 Demand is primarily concentrated on 2 carats to 10 carats, with sturdy market interest in high-quality sapphires with superior clarity. “The main driving force of the price hikes is solid demand from Europe and Asia,” shared Haghighat. “China has slowed down considerably over the last three or four months, but the rest of Asia is doing well.” Ijadi Gem sources its sapphires mainly from Sri Lanka and Madagascar as well as Myanmar. The latter, however, has stopped producing sapphires, so the company acquires its Burmese sapphires from second-hand sources or the antique market to be recut, explained the company official. At the moment, around 90 per cent to 95 per cent of sapphires being traded globally are from Sri Lanka and Madagascar, he added. Sapphires are similarly facing brilliant possibilities in the bridal jewellery segment. Like other premium-quality coloured gemstones, sapphires are figuring a great deal in modern engagement rings, thanks to jewellery brands purposefully promoting colour in their latest collections. Smaller sapphires of around 2 carats to 3 carats are extremely popular engagement ring choices, according to Haghighat. “There is a big movement in the engagement ring category where buyers are choosing coloured gemstones more and more as an alternative to white diamonds. This trend is also influenced by a younger generation of buyers,” he continued. Ron Rahmanan, vice president of Sara Gem Corp, likewise recognises the potential of coloured gems becoming top of mind for couples, but the possibility is not being explored as much as it is supposed to be. “Sapphire, ruby and emerald are much rarer than diamonds and are better options especially if you are making a lifetime commitment,” noted Rahmanan. “They also carry different meanings.” The trade should strengthen promotion of coloured gems, too. Unfortunately, the gemstone sector is more fragmented and with limited budget, unlike white diamonds, which has the backing of industry giants like De Beers. Rahmanan, however, highlighted the inimitable allure of coloured gems, especially finer-quality stones amid challenging times. The most desired sizes at present are below 10 carats, he added. “The best-selling gems now are between 2 carats and 6 carats. There is also consistent demand for melee sizes of 2mm to 3mm,” he shared. “Large and extra-fine gems of 20 carats to 30 carats, which are investment pieces, also move well. There is however very little interest in anything between 10 carats and 20 carats. For sapphires, this is the category where prices were almost unchanged.” There is also a recurring trend for multicolour jewellery layouts, giving rise to higher demand for pink sapphires. “Fancy sapphires, like pink, green or purple, are very trendy. But they come and go, and dealers just have to ride the trend. The classic blue sapphire, however, will always have a strong following, led by educated and discerning consumers,” explained Rahmanan. 祖母绿、红宝石和蓝宝石市场纵使面临多重 挑战，但仍然保持稳定。现今的市场主要把 现象归因于内地销售疲弱、供应限制和价 格飙升，以及宏观经济和地缘政治动荡等。 不少珠宝商表示，三大宝石璀璨动人且价值不 菲，2至10克拉顶尖品种的需求一直保持平稳。而中国 以外，例如亚洲和美国等市场也存在发展机遇。 另外，数百年来人们对三大宝石宠爱有加，而年轻 一代消费者也逐渐培养鉴赏力，为市场带来了崭新商 机，令宝石行业前景一片光明。 需求持续 中国香港宝石商Gems Trading Co指出，在价格 不断上升的情况下，哥伦比亚祖母绿的需求愈见强 劲。该公司经营各类宝石业务，当中包括哥伦比亚祖 母绿。 Gems Trading Co董事Ashish Dangayach称，祖母 绿价格每年上涨10%至15%，意味着人们对其作为保 值品充满信心，是一个值得欣喜的趋势。然而，由于目 前供不应求，价格可能会继续上涨。 Dangayach表示：“买家因祖母绿持续升值而热衷 购买，这点对行业来说是健康的，但问题在于供应紧 张。身为供应商，我们专注采购充足的货源，买的比 卖的多。” Emerald ring 祖母绿戒指 Ruby necklace 红宝石项链
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