The release of Sapphire completes the landmark trilogy of coffee table books sponsored by Gemfields and devoted to the ‘Big Three’ coloured gemstones –emeralds, rubies and sapphires. Emerald was released in 2013 and Ruby in 2017, meaning completion of the project spans almost a decade of work and research by author Joanna Hardy. Tomark the milestone, Gemfields has partnered with Jewel of Africa to create a special limited editionof 100 Jewel of Africa x Gemfieldspendantscrafted in the shape of the African continent andcontainingthe ‘Big Three’ gemstones in a symboliccontinental kaleidoscope.The pendantswill retail online viaThe Alkemistrywith the full sales price of GBP 795 per pendant supportingthe construction of a new computer training laboratory for children and adults displaced by the insurgency in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.

Africa is today home to the world’s largest ruby mine (in Mozambique) and the world’s largest emerald mine (in Zambia) and has also during the last decade become the world’s number one exporter of both emeralds and rubies. Gemfields is now seeking an African deposit of blue sapphires to complete its gemstone mining hat-trick and to further the contribution made to African host countries by their most beautiful of mineral resources: coloured gemstones. The sparkling future of the industry can also be seen in the fact that, during the last decade, the world record prices achieved byinternational auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’sfor an emerald and a ruby have surpassed that of a colourless diamond on a per carat basis, and sapphires are widely expected to do the same before long.

The eye-catching Jewel of Africa x Gemfields collaboration has launched this month, fittingly the birthstone month of sapphires.Jewel of Africais a family-run business and is Zambia’s leading jewellery manufacturer and an expert in emerald mining. Rashmi Sharma of Jewel of Africa said: “This particular collaboration is akin to completion of a puzzle,with Gemfields gemstones fitting perfectly into Jewel of Africa’s jewellery – two companies whose mutual goal is to benefit African communities.This is about Africa and its resources working for Africa.”

The Jewel of Africa x Gemfields pendant features a 0.20carat round Zambian emerald, a 0.12carat Mozambican ruby and 0.12carat sapphire, all set in an 18-karat yellow gold outline of Africa.

Gemfields’ CEO Sean Gilbertson said: “We’re delighted to mark the completion of our coffee table book trilogy with thecontinentally colourful Jewel of Africa x Gemfields pendant. Today, more value than ever accrues to Mozambique and Zambia from their coloured gemstone resources.In designing this piece, Jewel of Africa’s talented team in Zambia has brought to life a talisman signifying a key Gemfields tenet: that Africa’sgemstone wealth must contribute meaningfully not only to host-country economies but also to host communities and the next generation by way of education, healthcare and livelihoods projects. We look forward to seeing the new computer laboratory in action.” 

The new computer laboratory is being led by the Gemfields Foundation, the charitable arm of Gemfields dedicated to supporting communities and conservation in Africa.

Foundation MD Emily Dungey explained: “Families fleeing insurgent activity in the northeast of Cabo Delgado are seeking refuge in our area and are presently fully reliant on the support provided by charities, corporations and the government. Having already provided emergency supplies, Gemfields’ local operations are funding temporary schooling facilities. The Gemfields Foundation now wishes to fund a computer lab, providing access to critical learning tools so that education can continue despite the present circumstances.”