Gemfields plc ('Gemfields' or the 'Company')UK Stock Market Awards

Best Basic Resources PLC

27 March 2015

Gemfields plc (AIM: GEM) is pleased to announce that it received an award for the 'Best Basic Resources
Plc' category at the UK Stock Market Awards in London on Thursday 27 March, 2015.
The UK Stock Market Awards, in association with KPMG, were launched in 2010 and have firmly established themselves as one of the leading events for publicly-listed companies. The awards recognise and promote all that is great about publicly-listed British firms, the equity market which they choose to operate within and their enormous contribution to the United Kingdom's economy.
A judging panel of equity market participants and commentators considered nominations to select the winners in each category. Other nominees in the Best Basic Resources Plc category included; Fox Marble Holdings, Glencore, Petra Diamonds and Rare Earth Minerals.

Ian Harebottle, Chief Executive Officer of Gemfields commented:

'We were thrilled to accept the Best Basic Resources award at the 2015 UK Stock Market Awards. Gemfields has consistently produced stellar results throughout a very challenging period for the mining sector and I'm extremely pleased that these efforts have once again been recognised by the UK Stock Market Awards. Since we last won the award, two years ago, Gemfields has seen a threefold increase in revenues, and I'm pleased to report the Company is on track for another strong and successful year.'

Left to Right:- Bill Turnbull (BBC), Ian Harebottle (CEO of Gemfields) and Adam Hastings (Partner, Squire Patton Boggs)

For full details on the awards, please visit the UK Stock Market Awards Website:
http://www.stockmarketawards.com/.

Enquiries:

Gemfields

Jessica Patrick +44 (0)20 7518
3400

Tavistock Communications

Jos Simson/ Emily Fenton +44 (0)20 7920 3150
Notes to Editors:
Gemfields plc is the world's leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones and is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (ticker: GEM) where it is a constituent of the AIM50 index.
In July 2009, Gemfields commenced a formal auction programme for Zambian emeralds mined at the Kagem emerald mine. To date, the Company has held eighteen auctions of emerald and beryl produced at Kagem which have generated revenues totalling US$325 million. The Company has also held two traded emerald auctions (of gems not obtained directly from the Company's own mining operations) which
generated revenues of US$22.0 million.
The Company also owns a 75% stake in the highly prospective Montepuez ruby deposit in Mozambique as well as licences in Madagascar including ruby, emerald and sapphire deposits. In December 2014, Gemfields held its second auction of rough ruby and corundum produced at the Montepuez ruby deposit, generating revenues of US$43.3 million. The two ruby and corundum auctions have generated US$76.8 million in aggregate revenues.
In addition, Gemfields holds a 50% interest in the Kariba amethyst mine in Zambia and interests in sixteen newly acquired exploration licences in Sri Lanka to progress opportunities in the Sri Lankan sapphire and gemstone sector.
Gemfields acquired the Fabergé brand in January 2013 to create a globally recognised coloured gemstone champion. Fabergé provides Gemfields with direct control over a high-end luxury goods platform and a global brand with exceptional heritage.