Yami Gemstone Lab & Exports Pvt Ltd

23/05/2026

We commend the Malawi Government for the draft ASM policy. However we recommend that Policy Statement 8 be strengthened to provide for collaboration with reputable international laboratories and industry associations.

Accreditation of the mineral laboratory starts with qualified personnel, so capacity building in gemstone grading, certification and appraisal is critical. The aim is to align with international standards to ensure our gemstones access better markets, resulting in better prices for miners,more forex and improved royalties and taxes for the Government.

Department of Mining Mw
Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority

22/05/2026

In our view, the Geological Survey Department is the most important department, especially for mineral exploration and valuation. However, due to underfunding, the department hasn’t been able to do much. This is probably why people are calling for MAMICO to conduct nationwide mineral exploration.

Given the mineral wealth Malawi has, the current budget for the Department of Mines leaves a lot to be desired if we are to truly benefit from our resources. If we lack the expertise, we can always collaborate with those who have the technical skills so that our assay and gemstone reports conform to industry standards.

You might also wish to know that substandard reports come with a real cost. Clients are entrusting the department to provide the right reports, and personally, I lost an investor due to the substandard reports we received. The danger of issuing substandard reports is that you can be sued.

Let’s try to engage competent persons as per JORC or AMREC-PARC standards to help us.

16/05/2026

16/05/2026

A blue-diamond ring that was set to bring in up to CHF 9.6 million ($12.3 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva failed to find a buyer.

Read more: Link below

16/05/2026

The largest blue-green diamond ever sold also became the most expensive when it fetched a world record for a stone of its hue at Christie’s in Geneva, bringing in CHF 13.6 million ($17.4 million).

The stone, called the Ocean Dream, is a triangular-cut, 5.50-carat, fancy-vivid-blue-green type IIa diamond, which originated from an 11.70-carat rough discovered in Central Africa in the 1990s. Set in a ring, the piece generated “intense bidding” for 20 minutes, soaring past its CHF 10 million ($12.8 million) high estimate. In total, the May 13 Magnificent Jewels sale fetched CHF 51.9 million ($66.5 million), the auction house said Wednesday.

Read more: Linked below

13/05/2026

Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority Department of Mining Mw Malawi Government

As part of our ongoing research into gemstone pricing/valuation and market standards in Malawi, we have been following the case of the confiscated minerals examined by the Geological Survey Department in March 2026.

The outcome of this case will set a precedent for the handling, examination, and disposal of confiscated gemstones under the Mines and Minerals Act. For this reason, authenticity, transparency, and adherence to recognized gemological standards are critical.

We note from the MMRA letter addressed to CDEDI that the Department of mining carried out identification of the gemstones at the Lapidary Section, Zomba. The report only provided the names of gemstones and their corresponding weights. It did not include any valuation, certification, or appraisal, nor did it disclose the name and qualifications of the expert who performed the identification.

We were therefore surprised to learn in court that the gemstones have been valued at $227.

For transparency and for our research purposes, we respectfully request clarification on:

1. Who conducted the final valuation of the minerals, and what methodology and standards were applied?

2. Whether the examination was conducted by the Lapidary Section or the Gemology Section. We note that the Lapidary Section typically handles beneficiation, cutting, and polishing, while the Gemology Section handles identification, grading, certification and appraisal under international standards.

3. Whether a breakdown of value per gemstone type can be provided, corresponding to the weights.

4. The name, qualifications, and credentials of the expert who conducted the identification at GSD.

We trust this request will assist the court and the Department in maintaining the integrity of the process.

09/05/2026

06/05/2026

Thank you for sharing the functions of MMRA under the Mines and Minerals Act, 2023.

As Yami Gemstone Lab & Exports (YAGLE), a stakeholder in Malawi’s gemstone sector, we would appreciate clarification on Points 8 and 9:

8. Research on mining economics & international markets:How will small-scale and artisanal gemstone miners access MMRA’s research findings, pricing data, or market trends to guide production and sales decisions?

9. Local beneficiation & value addition: What specific standards, training, or support will MMRA provide for gemstone cutting, polishing, and grading? How will value-added exports be distinguished from raw exports in licensing and export approvals?

Clear guidance on these functions will help miners comply and participate effectively in building Malawi’s gemstone industry.

04/05/2026

CLARIFICATION ON YAGLE’S GEMSTONE SECTOR PROJECTIONS

We’ve noted recent media coverage of Yami Gemstone Lab & Exports (YAGLE)’s engagement with Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives CDEDI Malawi on 29 April 2026.

For clarity, YAGLE did not provide a projection of “$120 billion by 2063” nor that rubies alone could generate over $1 billion annually as reported in some outlets.

Our actual Statement:

1. The global gemstone industry is projected to reach $102 billion by 2032.

2. Malawi could capture over $1 billion annually from the gemstone sector with proper grading, certification, appraisal systems, beneficiation, and investment.

We thank all media houses for covering Malawi’s gemstone sector. We remain committed to providing accurate data to support the industry’s growth.

30/04/2026