As the year comes to a close, the Roskin Gem News Report is proud to present the Top 25 most-read stories of 2025.
According to our online magazine analytics, with close to 1,000 feature stories published in just over three years, page views rose 143% over 2024, while active readership increased 115%. Perhaps the most telling figure: the average time spent on feature stories nearly doubled, up 99% year over year.
The Tally
Every year, we sort through the full lot of feature stories published over the past twelve months to see which pieces rose to the top. Not by editorial preference. Not by promotion. Simply by what you chose to read.
Putting this list together is always fun, revealing — and rarely predictable.
Revealing, because it shows how broadly your interests land: important auctions, rare and historic gems, laboratory science, terminology, trade policy, ethics, and provenance.
Encouraging, because the results mirror exactly what we aim to deliver: enjoyable (and educational) international news with real-world trade relevance.
Tap Here
You click when something makes you stop and look a little closer — a great stone, a smart explanation of a lab report, a story that connects the dots.
From red-carpet jewels to baseball rings.
From museum donations to tariff negotiations.
From spectacular color to highly technical questions of definition, disclosure, and trust.
That mix is what defines this year’s Top 25.
So here they are — the Top 25 most-read features of 2025. (Links are included if you missed any along the way.)
ENJOY
Number 1
France says it’s a “Synthetic Diamond”: No (Again) to using “Lab Grown”… and Here’s Why
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
July 11, 2025
Our TOP story of the year was, of course, about synthetic diamonds.
The conversation about synthetic diamonds has been non-stop this year. And we had several features about synthetic diamonds to prove that point. But this one really pulled you in.
In this feature, you weren’t just reading headlines or reacting to sound bites — you were brought directly into the room where policy, science, language, and commerce collided. You read the full parliamentary question from Olivia Grégoire, and then the French government’s unambiguous reply, line by line, point by point.
What made this story resonate is that it didn’t argue for or against synthetic diamonds — it showed you how a major government weighed consumer protection, environmental claims, scientific definitions, and trade fairness, and then said no anyway. As a jeweler, dealer, appraiser, or gemologist, you instantly recognized why this mattered: the words on a report, a tag, or a counter card are not academic — they shape trust, value perception, and disclosure at the moment of sale. By translating dense regulatory language into clear trade context, this feature gave you something rare: certainty in a debate full of noise. That clarity — and its real-world implications for labeling, marketing, and consumer confidence — is exactly why you chose this story as the most-read feature of 2025.
Number 2
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels:
A Big & Bold Colorful Showcase—from Mughal to VC&A, Cartier, and More
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
June 30, 2025
Auction results are a common thread of our newsletter and online magazine gem news features. And it’s no surprise that one of them has made it to the number 2 spot. Indulge your eyes and sharpen your instincts, focus on the colored gemstone jewels that gave Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale its wow-factor. You read this story because it celebrated scale, color, and history—from a nearly 400-carat Ceylon sapphire necklace to Mughal emerald carvings measured in the hundreds of carats—while grounding the spectacle in real people and moments, like Rahul Kadakia of Christie’s holding and admiring the extraordinary Mughal red spinel and natural pearl necklace. By pulling together unheated sapphires, signed maison pieces, invisible-set Van Cleef & Arpels jewels, and boldly carved historic gems, this feature showed how color continues to command attention at the very top of the market. That blend of visual drama, context, and trade insight is exactly what earned this story the #2 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 3
Phenomenal Gems:
When Nature Puts on a Show
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
June 30, 2025
In this feature, we slowed things down and invited you to look at gemstones the way gemologists do—through light, structure, and behavior, not just color. You read this story because it clarified a word that’s often used loosely, but means something very specific in gemology: phenomenal. By breaking down effects like color-change and chatoyancy—what they are, how they happen, and why they matter—this piece turned visual excitement into real understanding, from color-change stones to the mechanics behind a truly sharp cat’s-eye. With practical explanations, real stones, and insight from professionals who evaluate color every day, this feature reminded readers that some of the most exciting gems aren’t just beautiful—they’re magic. That blend of gemology and visual delight is exactly what earned this story its place as our #3 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 4
How AGTA is Singlehandedly Saving the International Colored Gemstone Industry*
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
October 19, 2025
“The U.S. is the biggest market for color in the world. Without the United States, the whole industry suffers,” Bridges says. There’s an old economist’s saying: “If America sneezes, the whole world catches a cold.” The American market for colored gemstones plays an important role in sustaining global trade. So when the U.S. economy slows, the effects are felt everywhere. When tariffs threaten to choke the flow of colored gemstones into the U.S., it isn’t just dealers who feel the squeeze. From mining towns in East Africa to cutting centers in Thailand and Sri Lanka, livelihoods across the globe hang in the balance.
And this feature story is the behind the scenes back-story of what the leaders of the American Gem Trade Association did, and continue to do, in order to fight the fight – protect the international gemstone industry from tariffs. It’s an amazing story, one that everyone should know, and of course, this is why it has earned its place as our #4 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 5
Invisible-Set Genius:
Inside the Craft of Oscar Heyman
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
November 5, 2025
Loved this story. And we are glad you loved it too. Here we take you behind the surface of invisible-set jewelry to understand how it’s actually made—and why so few fine jewelry houses have ever done it well. You read this story because it went past admiration and into mechanics: the rails, the grooving, the die-striking, the cutting tolerances, and the sheer time required for each stone to slide perfectly into place. By tracing Oscar Heyman’s role alongside the great Paris houses, and how they created these works of art for Van Cleef & Arpels in New York City for close to 60 years, this story revealed the engineering hidden beneath a seamless field of color. That rare look at process, history, and restraint—told without mystique or marketing gloss—is exactly what earned this story its place not only in the Roskin Gem News Report, but as our #5 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 6
Emerald Filler Clarity:
New Price Guides for Clarity-Enhanced Emeralds Now in the GemGuide
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
May 24, 2025
In this feature, we flagged a quiet but meaningful shift in how fine Colombian emeralds are being priced—one that many of you deal with every day. You read this story because Gemworld’s decision to separate cedarwood oil–treated emeralds from resin-filled stones in the GemGuide isn’t academic; it directly affects valuation, appraisals, inventory decisions, and conversations at the counter. By explaining what changed, why it changed, and how the new charts reflect real market behavior—especially in higher qualities and larger sizes—this piece helped you stay aligned with evolving expectations in the emerald market. That kind of timely, detailed reporting—where pricing, disclosure, and reality meet—is exactly what earned this feature its place not only in the Roskin Gem News Report, but as our #6 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 7
The Winston Red
– the Color Every Other Red Diamond Wishes it Had
The Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection – Photo by Gary Roskin
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
April 13, 2025
In this feature, we invited you to slow down and really look at one diamond—the Winston Red—and consider what truly sets it apart. You read this story because it wasn’t about superlatives or auction results; it was about color itself, seen in person and placed in context among other extraordinary fancy color diamonds. From the unveiling of the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection at the Smithsonian to a close look at how red diamonds are graded, compared, and understood, this piece put you in the Winston Gallery and encouraged you to trust your own eyes. By focusing on what makes this red different—without leaning on statistics or hype—the story offered a rare chance to think about quality the way gemologists do. That shared experience is exactly what earned this feature its place as our #7 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 8
Rediscovering Red:
Vietnamese Garnet and the Partnership Behind Its Return
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
July 11, 2025
In this feature, you were introduced to a rediscovery in real time: vivid red garnet from Vietnam, brought back into focus through the partnership of Richard von Sternberg and Tom Banker. You read this story because it wasn’t just about a new source—it was about the story behind it … and yes, the color. From von Sternberg’s experience navigating trust, treatment questions, and lab verification with Ethiopian black opals to Banker’s boots-on-the-ground sourcing near Luc Yen, this piece showed how serious gems are presented in the right way: transparency first, then quality, then demand. Watching a material move from “brake lights” and whispers to something being named, tested, and properly cut pulled you into the process. That sense of discovery—shared early, honestly, and with trade context—is exactly what earned this story the #8 spot as most-read feature of 2025.
Number 9
Sotheby’s Royal & Noble Jewels:
Old Cuts, Natural Pearls, Tiaras,
and Where Bids Soared Past Estimates
This jewel is an object lesson in convertible jewelry.
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
November 18, 2025
In this feature, you stepped into one of those rare auctions where history, craftsmanship, and market appetite all collide—and then watched as expectations were repeatedly left behind at the estimate desk. You read this story because Royal & Noble Jewels sales aren’t just about beauty; they’re about provenance, old cuts, natural pearls, and objects that carry the weight of dynasties, exile, and empire. From tiaras and Napoleonic relics to a 13-carat light pink Old Mine cut that shattered its estimate of 400,000 CHF and sold for 2.9 million CHF, this auction reminded us how quickly bidders respond when rarity and story align. By looking closely at why certain jewels soared—sometimes 5, 10, even 15+ times above estimate—this piece treated the auction not as theater, but as a case study in what truly motivates today’s collectors. That blend of romance, rigor, and market insight earned this story the #9 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 10
… and in Diamond News …
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
February 19, 2025
The term “synthetic diamond” is well-understood in the sciences of gem(m)ology and mineralogy to mean that the material is diamond, with the same physical, optical, and chemical properties as the natural (just not made by mother nature). But the rest of the world (for the most part) believes – incorrectly – that the term “synthetic diamond” means fake diamond. (Read here to catch up.)
In this feature, we pulled together a fast-moving—and occasionally head-scratching—set of diamond news stories that many of you were already debating amongst yourselves. From France’s decision to mandate the term “synthetic” for non-natural diamonds, to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses weighing in, to Tom Chatham jumping into the fray with family history, humor, and a very long memory, this piece leaned into the language wars shaping today’s diamond market.
You read this story because words matter: they shape consumer perception, regulatory frameworks, and how confidently you can explain diamonds at the counter. Equal parts education, opinion, and informed commentary, this roundup didn’t pretend there was a simple answer—but it did give you context, perspective, and a few laughs along the way. That mix of substance and personality is exactly what earned this story its place as our #10 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 11
Understanding Fei Cui:
The Trade Term Now Found on Jade Reports
by Emily “D.D.” Frontiere
for the Roskin Gem News Report
July 17, 2025
Still up for a longer conversation, this feature introduced you to a term that’s quietly reshaping jade reports, pricing conversations, and customer expectations: Fei Cui. Written by our contributing editor Emily “D.D.” Frontiere, this story didn’t just explain a new phrase—it walked you through why labs like GIA (and the merchant Mason-Kay) are using it, what it means gemologically, and why they feel ignoring it isn’t an option for the trade. You read this piece because terminology matters: it affects confidence at the counter, clarity in reports, and trust with increasingly educated buyers. By bringing together voices from Mason-Kay, GIA, Lotus Gemology, and the Asian market—without dumbing anything down—this feature gave you practical knowledge you can actually use. That blend of gemological science with market reality is exactly what earned this story its place not only in the Roskin Gem News Report, but as our #11 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 12
A Great Night for the Big Four:
Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels Auction Results
Price realized: CHF 907,200 ($1.1 million)
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
May 24, 2025
In this feature, we didn’t just report the results of Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale—we sat down with the catalog and looked at it… the way you do. You read this story because it went beyond hammer prices and headline totals, asking sharper questions about disclosure, grading, and provenance. From blue diamonds taking the top spots, to rubies punching above their weight, to a large number of JAR pieces offered with remarkably sparse gemological detail, this was an auction recap with a loupe in hand. That mix of market results, critical observation, and gemological curiosity—the kind you only get from someone who’s really reading the fine print—is exactly what earned this feature its place as our #12 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 13
Are Diamonds Even a Luxury Anymore? De Beers CEO Al Cook talks to the Wall Street Journal about the diamond market’s identity crisis
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
July 18, 2025
Here we took you beyond a headline that was already rattling the trade. We unpacked what Al Cook, CEO of DeBeers, said to the Wall Street Journal, what it all means for diamonds, dealers, and the future of the category itself. You read this story because it didn’t just repeat the narrative of falling prices and rising synthetic diamond (lab-grown) volume—it translated it into trade reality, filling in the context the mainstream press leaves out.
By breaking down Cook’s strategy, De Beers’ retreat from Lightbox, Botswana’s role, and the growing divide between fashion diamonds and “forever” diamonds, this piece gave you language, perspective, and talking points you can actually use. And that is exactly what earned this story its place as our #13 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 14
The French Crown Jewels: After the Louvre Heist… Better Images of What Was Taken, a Gemological Breakdown, and a Smithsonian Connection
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
November 19, 2025
In this feature, you didn’t just read about the Louvre heist—you stayed with it as the story unfolded. We brought you better images of the jewels that were taken, a gemological breakdown rarely seen outside museum files, and a surprising Smithsonian connection to the royal jewels. You read this story because it answered the question, What exactly was stolen?
By providing up-to-date details, reporting security failures, and even tracing the fate of related royal jewels, this piece is exciting. That level of depth—treating readers as informed professionals rather than spectators—is exactly what earned this story its place as our #14 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 15
A Tequila Diamond Update: Some Interesting Details We Thought You’d Enjoy! Pictures, too
By Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
June 10,2025
Now for this feature, we went back down the rabbit hole—because you did too. After first introducing the now-infamous Tequila Diamond, we returned with follow-up questions, fresh details, and yes… pictures. You read this story because it sat right at the intersection of science, spectacle, and “wait—how exactly did they do that?” From learning which tequila was actually used, to understanding the design choices behind the sapphire-framed brooch worn by Janelle Monáe at the Met Gala, this piece was mostly curiosity… without taking itself too seriously. It was fun, it was strange, it sparked conversation—and it showed how “lab-grown” synthetic diamonds continue to pop up in unexpected places – far beyond the traditional jewelry counter. That informed amusement is exactly what earned this story its place not only in the Roskin Gem News Report for a second time, but as our #15 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 16
Rapaport’s JCK Breakfast: The Way Forward, with Al Cook, CEO of the De Beers…
By Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
June 11,2025
In this feature, you were right there with us at the 8 a.m. Sunday breakfast as Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group and founder of the Rapaport Diamond Report, delivered his annual, no-filter state-of-the-industry address—part warning, part rallying cry, and part moral reckoning for the diamond trade. You read this story because Rap doesn’t just talk about market conditions; he talks about responsibility, ethics, and what happens at the counter in those final 18 inches where trust is either built or lost. From his blunt take on synthetics and Russian sanctions, to his unapologetic call for traceability, transparency, and storytelling, this was one of those moments where the industry stops, listens, and argues about it for months afterward. Capturing that intensity—alongside commentary from Al Cook and the broader De Beers strategy—made this more than an event recap. It became a snapshot of where the diamond business stands right now, and why so many of you made it one of our most-read features of 2025 – number 16.
Number 17
No Surprise Here: DeBeers Exits the Synthetic Jewelry Biz
By Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
May 22, 2025
In this feature, we closed the loop on a prediction many of you already remembered—because you heard it here first. Back at JCK Las Vegas 2024, Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, told us plainly that De Beers did not see a future for “lab-grown” synthetic diamonds in fine jewelry, and that Lightbox would eventually exit the market. Nearly a year later, that moment arrived. You read this story not just for the news of Lightbox’s closure, but for the confirmation of strategy: De Beers used Lightbox to reset pricing expectations, force “lab-grown” synthetic diamonds toward a cost-plus reality, and then stepped away once the job was done. For readers navigating the natural vs. “lab-grown” conversation every day—with clients, suppliers, and colleagues—this feature put the move in context and reminded you why long-term intent matters more than short-term headlines. That sense of “we saw this coming together” earned this story its place as our #17 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 18
ZaZa Azul: A Paraíba for the People
By Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
October 2, 2025
In this feature, you followed the remarkable journey of ZaZa Azul—the 13.34-carat Brazilian Paraíba tourmaline donated by Sandi “ZaZa” and Bob Kolitz to the Smithsonian’s National Gem & Mineral Collection. You read this story because it put real people at the center of a world-class gem: from Hans-Jürgen Henn, who first recognized the stone’s potential, to Paolo Bvlgari, who made a rare exception to design and create a ring for it, to Dr. Gabriela Farfan, Russell Feather, and the Smithsonian team who welcomed it into the national collection. This wasn’t just a another museum acquisition; it was a story of generosity—of an exceptional gem loved deeply, worn proudly, and ultimately donated to the National Gem Collection to be shared with the public. That rare blend of gemological importance and human connection earned its place as our #18 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 19
V&A, Victoria and Albert Museum:
The Jewels of Cartier – a Special Exhibition
The Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection – Photo by Gary Roskin
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
June 30, 2025
In this feature, you were given a quick peek at a truly impressive Cartier exhibition, assembled with museum-level attention to detail and historical perspective. You read this story because the V&A’s Jewels of Cartier wasn’t just a parade of famous pieces, although we did get to see that. From royal commissions and historic gemstones to watches, and even a mystery clock, this exhibition offered a rare opportunity to see the full arc of Cartier’s influence in one place. That combination of early design, and seeing it up close—the details, the style, and the construction—earned this story its place as our #19 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 20
Guatemalan Jadeite Jade — A New Look for an Ancient Treasure
by Emily “D.D.” Frontiere
for the Roskin Gem News Report
March 17, 2025
In this feature, we introduced you to something genuinely new in an ancient material: a fresh look at fine Guatemalan jadeite jade, presented by Mason-Kay, that challenges long-held assumptions about color, transparency, and market potential. You read this story because it expanded the conversation beyond the traditional Burmese (Myanmar) jadeite jade narrative, and showed how high-quality jadeite from the Americas may be finally gaining some attention. With expert insight from Mason-Kay, and technical context from Mary Lou Ridinger, this piece blended gemology, history, and market reality—while also spotlighting original reporting by our contributing editor, Emily “D.D.” Frontiere. Learning something new about American jadeite from trusted voices earned its place not only in the Roskin Gem News Report, but as our #20 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 21
A Few Notable Pieces Coming Up at Auction:
Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Heritage, and More
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
March 17, 2025
In this feature, we invited you to slow down and really look—using highlights from several upcoming auctions as a way to study exceptional gem-set jewels, important stones, and master-level craftsmanship across design periods and jewelry houses. You read this story because auctions remain one of the best classrooms in the trade: they allow you to examine style, gemstone quality, lab reports, and provenance all in one place—often with details you don’t encounter in everyday buying. From a Schlumberger emerald ring with Colombian origin and minor enhancement to subtle observations about construction and wear, this wasn’t just eye candy. It was a fun (and educational) moment. That balance of learning and pleasure is exactly why this auction roundup earned its place among our most-read features of 2025 – #21.
Number 22
Must-See Jewelry — Who Wore What Jewels Covers the 2025 Golden Globes: Dazzling Red Carpet Looks
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
January 24, 2025
In this feature, you stepped onto the Golden Globes red carpet with Lauralee for a close look at the jewelry moments everyone was talking about — from Zendaya’s now-famous engagement ring to standout uses of Paraíba tourmaline, tanzanite, opal, and statement diamond pieces. You read this story because red carpet jewelry isn’t just about the celebrities. It’s where you first see new design ideas and gemstone trends — whether oversized colored-stone earrings, vintage-inspired diamond settings, or unexpected gem pairings — and then see them talked about across social media by critics, columnists, and fashion editors alike.
Seeing what was worn, how it was styled, and which gems drew attention helps you anticipate what clients may ask for next. That mix of glamour, gem knowledge, and practical takeaways for the trade is exactly why this piece became one of our most-read features of 2025.
Number 23
AGTA Announces the 2025 Spectrum & Cutting Edge Award Winners
… and the Roskin Gem News Report Was There
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
November 4, 2025
In this feature, we took you inside AGTA’s 2025 Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards on “Press Day,” when the industry’s best work was laid out on the tables—more than 300 entries, six hours of viewing, and a room filled with trade press working to report on it as best we could. You read this story because seeing the winning pieces up close—and understanding what rose to the top once the judging was complete—offers real insight into where design, color, and gem materials are headed.
The winners included both first-time entrants and long-established designers, offering a clear look at their range of styles and techniques.
The mix of firsthand reporting, including photography, giving you visual inspiration, with the gem & jewelry details you want, is exactly why this story became our #23 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 24
Sotheby’s High Jewelry Geneva Auction Featuring Fancy Color Diamonds
— The 10.08-Carat Fancy Vivid Pink Was Pulled
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
June 30, 2025
This auction review earned its place on the list because it delivered exactly what many of you look for: a careful walk through a strong Geneva sale, with attention to the stones and the details that mattered.
From the Internally Flawless 4.50-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond that became the top result of the auction, to a well-documented group of no-heat Kashmir sapphires, the sale offered plenty to study. The late withdrawal of the 10.08-carat Fancy Vivid Pink added a note of intrigue, but the real strength of the sale was in the breadth — important fancy color diamonds such as the exceptional pair of earrings featuring matching Fancy Vivid Yellow cushion-shape diamonds, each weighing approximately 38 carats; natural pearl drops; and thoughtful jewelry designs, including a Van Cleef & Arpels invisible-set ruby and diamond pansy.
This wasn’t just another auction review. It highlighted a range of genuinely strong pieces — and that’s how it earned its place as our #24 most-read feature of 2025.
Number 25
AGTA Goes to Washington: Bridges and Ford meet with Republicans
Timothy P. Hecht, Government Relations Specialist, Hecht, Latham, Spencer & Associates of Washington, D.C.,
and John W. Ford Sr., CEO, AGTA
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
May 9, 2025
In this feature, we introduced you to AGTA’s behind-the-scenes push to roll back tariffs on colored gemstones and cultured pearls.
You read this story because tariffs were about to hit real businesses in real time—affecting prices, availability, and whether certain goods even make sense to carry.
In a word, confusion. AGTA was working in Washington, D.C. trying to make changes fast before it would be too late. Everyone else was in a wait-and-see moment.
That urgency, combined with clear reporting on what was changing almost daily, was exactly why this story landed at #25 on our Top Features list.
Oh so close….
Here are 3 features that came in just short of the top 25 that should be acknowledged.
Honorable Mention:
◈ Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction: The Diamond Report / GIA Graded over 30 Diamond Lots
… If you like getting into the weeds of a diamond grading report, this is the feature for you. … an auction report that takes a really deep dive into important diamonds and their accompanying GIA diamond grading reports.
Honorable Mention:
◈ Cannes Celebrities With Outstanding Jewels. We have Who Wore What Jewels at the Film…
… If you are keen on celebrity red carpet jewels, have we got one for you here… with Helen Mirren wearing that amazing aquamarine necklace and Finnegan Oldfield sporting a 1919 Boucheron barrette sapphire and diamond brooch. Fabulous
Honorable Mention:
◈ The Hybrid Diamond Color Grading Master Set: How Cost and Availability Caused a Revelation
… This feature digs into the back story of how one gemologist on a mission, with the help of several others, figured out the solution to a decades long problem – a real breakthrough to the issue of supplying diamond color master sets.
We will be back this time again next year to wrap up out Top 25 Reports for 2026
See you then.
