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【Australia】Coloured Gemstones: A Spectrum of Opportunities

Nov 2, 2018

Editor’s Note

This article explores the vast opportunities within the coloured gemstone market, highlighting the unique appeal of each stone’s individual character and the growing consumer interest in gemmology.

Coloured gemstones: a spectrum of opportunities – Jeweller Magazine: Jewellery News and Trends

Gemmology and Consumer Awareness

Gemmology can grasp the fascination of amateur hobbyists who trek to find semi-precious stones through to high-end jewellers who use cut and polished gemstones to produce exquisite jewellery. The beauty of gemstones lies not only in their depth of colour or sharpness of cut but also in their diversity. No two are identical and differences in their aesthetic qualities, properties and values mean they can attract consumers right across the wider jewellery market who are seeking different price points and styles.

“Many, if not most, end consumers are researching on the internet before they purchase. If your client knows more than you do about your product, they will lose faith and respect for you. That goes for gem importers and retailers”

Family businesses have proven to be the backbone of Australian gemstone suppliers across both mining and merchant sectors. Coolamon Mine has been yielding sapphires since 1989. Jenny and Jim Elliot were one of three families who were contracted with the Queensland government in 1984 to mine sapphires from a road reserve between Rubyvale and Sapphire.
In Melbourne, Wolski’s has a reputation as a trusted gemstone importer of sapphires, rubies, emeralds and aquamarines. Owner Witold Wolski has been in the business for 39 years and says that it is easy to appreciate gemstones for their sheer beauty; however, marketing trends must be taken into account.

Reaching Full Potential

“Consumers need to be made more aware of emeralds. People have a lot of concerns for them and tend to think it is fragile stone that will easily break. It’s not like a diamond where you wear it every day but it is sturdy enough if you care for it,” he explains. “The reason emeralds are often weaker is due to the inclusions – when they have inclusions they are weaker. That’s why I bring in quality material with quality inclusions so that customers can gain trust in emeralds.”

“Gaining some traction for these stones on the jewellery market in Australia has been an interesting process, however, as our jewellers and their customers initially didn’t understand them well and tended to ask for the impossible. Now, the brilliant parti-colour sapphires are highly desired in their own right as they are unmistakably genuine, natural products,” Elliot says.

“We are fortunate to have relationships with suppliers and clients that in some cases stretch back multiple decades; they’ve become like family to us! But we are also equally excited to work with and encourage younger designers,” he says.

A Sense of Home

Rodrigo Orozco grew up in Colombia but moved to Australia more than 15 years ago. When he settled in his new home, he wanted to run a business that showcased the beauty he saw in his homeland. Falling for the lustre of Colombian emeralds, Orozco commenced his import business Beryllos, which has found success in the decade since its inception.

“One of the best ways to share my love for my country is through emeralds. They [Colombian emeralds] are definitely some of the most iconic and best-quality emeralds in the world,” Orozco explains. “Every time I sell a gemstone, I’m not just selling an emerald; I am selling my love for my country so it is quite a patriotic business for me.”

All Beryllos emeralds are sourced directly from mines in Colombia where Orozco says the quality of the product is universally unparalleled. Fellow Colombian emerald merchant Paris Lee agrees.

“I believe they are the best emeralds in the world for quality, colour saturation consistency and clarity,” Lee says. “These emeralds are known for ‘the garden’ within the stone, which refers to their unique inclusions.”

Drawing on her love of homeland Australian gemstones, Lee also sources gemstones from her own mine.

“I am also an opal miner in Lightning Ridge with my own opal mine and claim,” she adds with pride. “I am able to supply Australia’s national gemstone and the best opal in the world direct from the mine to market.”

Katherine Kovacs, K&K Export Import
Lee and Orozco aren’t alone in celebrating the riches of their country’s gemstones. Working in the gem fields of North Queensland was Doug Menadue’s first taste of coloured gemstones when he chose to leave his long-term career in computer programming for something new. It’s no surprise that Menadue’s favourite gemstone – Australian sapphire – comes from that region.

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⏰ Published on: November 02, 2018