Recent Trends In World Gem Production

There are no reliable statistics on gemstone production for many reasons, but Thomas Yager has compiled nearly-accurate statistics on the state of the global colored stone gemstones production.

Thomas R Yager (US Geological Survey) writes:

Estimates of world colored gemstone production are inherently difficult because of the fragmentary nature of the industry, the lack of government oversight in many countries where colored gemstones are mined, and the wide variation in quality of the production. Therefore, global production figures for colored gemstones have not been published previously by the USGS, although data are available for some individual countries.

Based on government data, company reports, and a review of the colored gemstone mining literature, the overall emerald, ruby, sapphire, and tanzanite production from 1995 to 2004 have been estimated. Amethyst and garnet production figures for selected countries also have been compiled.

Global emerald production increased from about 3600 kg in 1995 to 5900 kg in 2004; output rose in Colombia, Brazil, Madagascar, and Zambia. Colombia’s status as the world’s leading emerald produced was challenged by Brazil and Zambia. Brazil’s emerald production increased sharply because of the development of large-scale mechanized mines.

World ruby production is also estimated to have increased, from about 4400kg in 1995 to 9100kg 2004. This increase was primarily attributable to greater production in Kenya, which tends to mine cabochon grade ruby. Production declines in Myanmar and Tanzania were reversed in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Madagascar’s ruby output increased because of the discovery of the Andilamena and Vatomandry mining areas.

Global sapphire production is estimated to have declined from about 26200 kg in 1995 to 22600 kg in 2004 as production increases in Madagascar and Sri Lanka were more than offset by decreases in Australia and Tanzania. In Australia, large-scale mining operations shut down or reduced output because of the depletion of near surface deposits by artisanal and small scale miners. In Madagascar, the discovery of sapphire at IIakaka and Sakaraha led to substantial increases in production from 1998-2000, but output has declined in 2003-2004. Sri Lanka’s production of geuda increased in 2003-2004.

Tanzanite produced declined from about 6500 kg in 2002 to 3100 kg in 2004 because of a lack of new deposits being discovered and higher costs associated with the increasing depths of small-scale mines in Blocks B and D at Merelani; cutbacks in production have not been offset by mechanized mining in Block C.

Gem production has shifted rapidly between countries and within countries in recent years. With the depletion of near-surface alluvial deposits, colored gemstone mining is likely to shift from small-scale to large-scale operations.