E.U. Gem Imports Up in '01
By Darren Arnold

The European Union's gem import statistics were a bright spot for the the gemstone trade last year. Total imports for all E.U. countries in 2001 came in at €405.6 million (US$365 million) — 15 percent greater than the €353.8 million ($325.5 million) imported in 2000.

France imported €113.4 million ($102.1 million), which makes it the biggest importer of colored gemstones in the European Union. Germany remained in second place overall, but just barely, as the United Kingdom's impressive 48 percent increase in colored stone imports brought it in slightly under Germany.

France and the United Kingdom are buying more cut and rough gems of all types, although in value terms the most significant gains were in cut ruby, emerald, and sapphire.

France was the runaway leader of the group with "Big Three" imports of €100.4 million ($90.3 million), a gain of 46 percent over 2000. The United Kingdom's 62 percent increase in ruby, sapphire, and emerald imports saw it leapfrog both Italy and Belgium to second place at ECU 46.1 million ($41.5 million).

Of the other countries, Spain and Austria are the only two nations to score increases in both cut and rough gems. While Germany's gem import statistics haven't really fluctuated — it still tops the lists for imports of both rough gems and cut "other" gems — Belgium has seen a dip in fortunes in all three categories. Although it still does significant business in ruby, emerald, and sapphire, with about €40.4 million ($36.4 million) in imports in 2001, its imports of rough colored stones and cut "other" stones have fallen dramatically.

European Union Gem Imports Statistics