Anurak Sinchawla on the Most Requested Gems

In recent years, the colored stone market seems to be experiencing a period of great enthusiasm. Is this structural growth that is set to consolidate, or are we witnessing a “cyclical trend”? Do you see the risk of a possible bubble?

You raise an excellent point about the gemstone industry experiencing a period of remarkable enthusiasm. I believe we are witnessing a cyclical trend, and while social media has certainly played a role in fueling this growth, the deeper driver is something more fundamental: colored stones have consistently demonstrated price stability and long-term appreciation. This track record has built genuine consumer confidence, encouraging buyers to invest in colored stones with conviction. Personally, I am not particularly concerned about the risk of a bubble. Demand for fine colored gemstones continues to rise, while the stones themselves are becoming increasingly difficult to source — and it is precisely this tightening supply that underpins the gradual, sustained price increases we have seen over the years.

How is the colored stone market evolving today? Which gems are experiencing the most interesting growth, and what factors — economic, cultural, or geopolitical — are influencing demand, availability, and prices?

The gems that have seen the most interesting growth over the past year are Padparadscha and Montana sapphires, Paraíba tourmalines, and emeralds. I attribute this to a combination of evolving color preferences among buyers and, undoubtedly, the power of targeted marketing.

In the medium term, what factors will determine competitiveness in the colored stone market: access to mines, control of the supply chain, gem branding, brand narrative, or design innovation? Where will the game really be played?

The factors that will define competitiveness in the colored stone market essentially come down to two things: access to mines and the strength of your brand. Increasingly, differentiation will be driven by how compellingly a business can tell its story around responsible sourcing, and how effectively it can set itself apart from others in that space.

Are your clients looking for bolder colors, less conventional gems, or unusual cuts? And how much influence do social media and international markets have?

For rubies, demand for that deep, vivid red - particularly from Mozambique and Burma - remains as strong as ever. With sapphires, we are seeing a notable shift toward stronger, richer blues rather than the lighter, more muted tones that were popular in previous years. Padparadscha sapphires are a category of their own right now; the appetite for them is extraordinary. The power of social media has been transformative. A single post from the right voice can shift what clients are asking for almost overnight. We often notice spikes in inquiries for a specific origin or shade of color that can be traced directly back to a piece that has gone viral.