Iridis to Hold Rough Tourmaline Auction
The mining company said the event is the first of its kind in the world.
It’s scheduled for Nov. 21-24 in Bangkok.
Billed as the world’s first auction of rough tourmalines, the inaugural event will feature “the largest collection” of exceptional pink, green, and bi-color Zambian tourmaline.
The miner also said the auction will utilize the first tourmaline grading system for prospective buyers.
“We are excited to be showcasing some of the world’s finest rough tourmaline gemstones in Bangkok this November. This forthcoming auction is the culmination of 18 months of production from our Zambia operations, which will see these stunning gemstones in a first-of-its-kind grading system with 100 percent traceability,” said Iridis CEO Cyrille Djankoff.
Djankoff and Stephane Foucaud co-founded Iridis, a name derived from the Latin word for rainbow, iris.
In 2017, the company became the major shareholder in the Jagoda mine. It holds an initial license valid until November 2023, with the option to extend the license for 10 years.
When Jagoda “came on stream” in 1997, Iridis said, it was initially known for its exceptional pink tourmaline, but surveys by the Gemological Institute of America and others said it may become “one of the most important sources of tourmaline the world has ever known.”
The miner seeks to “redefine the gemstone industry through responsibly and reliably bringing tourmaline to the global market.”
The Zambian mine is the first colored gemstone mine to be “actively participating” in the standards laid out by The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), according to Iridis.
For information on attending the auction, contact kathy@bonasgroup.com or visit Iridis’ website.
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