The Gemologist Behind Jewel Of Africa

Rashmi Sharma is the inspiring CEO and Co-Founder of Jewel of Africa, founded in 1992. Fascinated by gemstones, she studied Gemmology in London and earned the prestigious FGA certification. She learned jewelry manufacturing during her undergraduate studies and later completed her MBA.

Combining her gemmological expertise with strong business knowledge, Rashmi has played a key role in the company’s growth and strategic development. Along with her co-founder, she transformed Jewel of Africa into a respected ethical brand renowned for sourcing, cutting, and crafting exceptional Zambian gemstones while empowering local communities.

Rashmi Sharma (Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer)
The Gemologist

The Zambian Jewels Podcast

Season 01 Episode 01:

Season 01 Episode 01: Emerald

Coloured by chromium and iron, our Zambian emeralds possess a higher refractive index than emeralds from any other region — giving them an intense natural lustre and exceptional sparkle. Globally prized for their vibrant green hue and remarkable transparency, they are among the finest emeralds in the world.

Season 01 Episode 02:

Season 01 Episode 02: Aquamarine

Our Zambian aquamarine is celebrated for its exceptional clarity and striking deep blue tones. Mined across regions like Lundazi and Mkushi, these gems have a long and distinguished history — renowned for their high quality and the purity of colour that sets our local material apart.

Season 01 Episode 03:

Season 01 Episode 03: Amethyst Quartz

Our amethyst ranges from rich royal purple to deep "Siberian" quality stones, uniquely distinguished by their vivid colour and rare pink flashes. Some crystals naturally occur as ametrine — a remarkable single stone that displays both purple and gold, making each piece truly one of a kind.

Season 01 Episode 04:

Season 01 Episode 04: Tourmaline

Found in every colour — from neon pinks to deep greens and vivid blues — our tourmaline is as versatile as it is extraordinary. Dichroic by nature, these gems shift in colour depending on the angle of light, and can grow with multiple colours within a single crystal, making each stone a work of natural art.

Season 01 Episode 05:

Season 01 Episode 05: Aggregates

Our collection features copper-based aggregates including malachite and turquoise — opaque stones celebrated for their rich colours and distinctive banded patterns. Our moonstones captivate with a rare "Schiller" effect, casting a luminous, rainbow-like glow from deep within the stone.

Season 01 Episode 06:

Season 01 Episode 06: Gemstone Tourism

From world-class emeralds to exceptional semi-precious stones like fireball garnets, Zambia's gemstone wealth spans a full spectrum of colour — found at remarkably shallow depths across the country. Many of these gems are considered investment pieces, as their values get double after cutting.

Season 01 Episode 07:

Season 01 Episode 07: History of Gemstones

Zambia's gemstones carry a heritage as rich as their colour. Green tourmaline and malachite have long served as cultural symbols — representing the national antelope and the royal crocodile — and were celebrated on national postage stamps in the 1980s. Each gem is a piece of living history, since its birth.

Rashmi Sharma and Jewel of africa

A Global Voice for Coloured Gemstones

A Global Voice for Coloured Gemstones

Rashmi took the international stage as a panelist at the prestigious Doha International Diamond & Gemstone Conference 2025, contributing to the

Advocating for Zambia's Gemstone Economy

Advocating for Zambia's Gemstone Economy

Jewel of Africa welcomed the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, MP, to its workshop. Rashmi led a compelling dialogue on the

A Pillar of International Trade

A Pillar of International Trade

Jewel of Africa hosted the signing of the TRADEBOOST Memorandum of Understanding between the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) and

Zambian Mission to the United Nations

Zambian Mission to the United Nations

Jewel of Africa proudly showcased Zambia's finest gemstones at the Zambian Mission to the United Nations, hosted by Ambassador Chola Mulambo. Before

Zambia's Gemstones on the World Stage

Zambia's Gemstones on the World Stage

Jewel of Africa welcomed Financial Insights Zambia for an in-depth conversation on the brand's remarkable journey and its vision for positioning Zambian

Message From Rashmi Sharma

We honour the natural energy of the treasures gifted by the Earth, preserving their authenticity by avoiding artificial enhancements. Each stone is meticulously faceted to reveal its fullest brilliance, then transformed into timeless jewels through thoughtfully evolved designs that enhance and celebrate its natural beauty.

Rashmi Sharma