February Gemselect Newsletter – Happy Chinese New Year

Valentine's Day

Love is in the air, everywhere I look around
Love is in the air, every sight and every sound

Even the cheesiest of love songs sound great as Valentine's Day draws near but choosing the right gift for that special person in your life is never easy. Roses and chocolates are always popular but what can say ‘I will love you forever' better than a gemstone – a true symbol of enduring love?

Traditionally, the fiery passion of a ruby or the serene elegance of a sapphire have been the top choices but at GemSelect we have a huge variety of alternative gemstone to suit all tastes and budgets.

Take a look at our precious gemstones such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds or semi-precious but equally striking gems such as aquamarine, topaz, peridot and garnet. We also have the widest collection of opaque or patterned gemstones such as bloodstone, jasper, agate, lapis lazuli available on the internet.

Whichever one you go for, choosing a gemstone becomes a personalized gesture that speaks volumes. The recipient is not only adorned with a precious jewel but also receives a tangible token of commitment and thoughtfulness.

Star Rubies

Not coincidently, I am sure, we have had a few new arrivals of Star Ruby gemstones just in time for Valentine's Day to add to our already large collection. These spiritually significant beauties would make a fantastic expression of your love.

The Value of Colored Gemstones

Speaking of colored gemstones, there has been some interesting news lately about their material value.

Gemfields is the largest global colored stone miner in the world and had a ruby auction in our capital city, Bangkok, recently. They sold nearly $70 million worth of rubies, and the average value per carat increased from $154 to $290 over the past year.

Unlike white diamonds, colored gems don't have a set price standard because each stone is totally unique. The wholesale prices for sapphires, emeralds, and rubies have consistently risen by 12%, 13%, and 17% each year since 2020, driven by high demand. Meanwhile, in the US, diamond sales decreased from 86% of all rings in 2020 to 82% in 2023, with emeralds and sapphires filling most of the gap.

Colored gemstones, according to Sean Gilbertson, Gemfields' CEO, have bucked the trend of falling commodity prices, standing out as one of the few mineral resources with a significant price increase.

Gemsfields has notably increased production at its Kagem emerald mine in Zambia, producing over 30 million carats yearly since 2009. The revenue from this mine jumped eightfold in 2023, reaching about $90 million. All this suggests that colored gemstones are not just objects of great beauty but also quite a useful investment.

Happy Chinese New Year!

The Chinese New Year begins in February and this time it is the Year of the Dragon – the most powerful and mysterious of all Chinese zodiac animals. It is a vibrant celebration steeped in tradition and symbolism and is also a time for the thoughtful exchange of gifts.

Giving presents during this auspicious occasion is more than a gesture; it's a way to convey good wishes, prosperity, and joy. Families and friends often exchange gifts as tokens of appreciation and to strengthen bonds. Traditional items like red envelopes, symbolizing good luck and wealth, are commonly exchanged, while other meaningful gifts contribute to the festive spirit.

The traditional gemstones for the Year of the Dragon are the gorgeous purple Amethyst and the colorful Agate.

New Gemstone Arrivals

As you may well know, our offices are in the town of Chanthaburi in Eastern Thailand, which has long been the world's center for the gemstone trade. Traders fly in and out from all corners of the world every day, buying and selling the finest gemstones. For this reason, we are constantly bringing in new gemstones, take a look at our new arrivals here.

February Birthstone

The color purple has always been associated with nobility and the powerful and nothing represented this dominance more than Amethyst. The February birthstone was once as valuable and sought after as sapphires and rubies but recent discoveries of amethyst in Brazil have led to a much more affordable price for this gemstone which comes in a range of purplish hues from delicate lilac to vibrant violet. Take a look at our extensive stock of amethyst in a wide variety of sizes and shapes and you are sure to find that perfect gift for someone lucky enough to have been born in February.

Mother of Pearl Carvings

Stop the press! I was just about to send off our February newsletter when my attention was drawn to a new collection of Mother of Pearl carvings that has just arrived. These delicate and iridescent gemstones have been intricately carved to create a true work of art that would enhance any collection.

Customer Questions and Answers:

Uh oh, deadline approaching, just time to wish you a great February, a Happy Chinese New Year and a happy Valentine's Day from us all at GemSelect.

Happy Gemstone Hunting!

Team GemSelect