4 October 2022
An enthralling Emerald Masterclass for Shanghai
On 20 September, Gemfields and the GUILD Institute of Gemology held a memorable masterclass in Shanghai. Devoted to emeralds, this was attended in-person by local media as well as livestreamed to a nationwide audience for the first time.
Emeralds represent hope, peace and renewal. They are rarer than colourless diamonds and remain an object of fascination for many, and this Shanghai audience was no exception. This collaboration between Gemfields and GUILD, who have been partners since 2019, follows on from the Ruby and Emerald Masterclasses that were held in Shanghai and Beijing, respectively, in 2021.
The Emerald Masterclass was without doubt a success, with a splash of press coverage enticing Chinese consumers to become increasingly interested in coloured gemstones and their origins. As a world-leading miner of responsibly coloured gemstones and a long-time champion of transparency in the sector, Gemfields was perfectly placed to lead this experience. Gemfields is also the majority owner of the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia, believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine.
Raising consumer awareness is a critical part of the responsible sourcing strategy and masterclasses have so far proved a hit, bringing together top experts in the coloured gemstone sector to share their insights with consumers and help demystify these rare and extraordinary treasures. The masterclasses held to date have received unanimous praise from the Chinese press and it is hoped that more will follow to continue the mission of educating the public. Titles in attendance included: Modern Weekly, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Tatler, Noblesse, InStyle, Madame Figaro and Rapaport.
GUILD Institute of Gemology is the first and only international gemmological institute in China and it has an outstanding reputation within the industry for its professional competence. It was, thus, fitting that the masterclass was led by its founder, Liu Lihong, and president, Andrew Lucas. The idea to livestream this masterclass means a wider group will have access to their expertise and come to understand the workings of the coloured gemstone industry, and in this case, the magic of emeralds.
“As a leader and innovator in the coloured gemstone industry, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the GUILD Institute of Gemology to bring the Gemfields Coloured Gemstone Masterclass to China. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive learning experience for consumers and to raise public awareness of the coloured gemstone industry,” said Sean Gilbertson, CEO of Gemfields.