Gemfields Plc

("Gemfields" or "the Company", AIM: "GEM")

Annual General Meeting Result and Directorate Change

31 December 2009

Gemfields is pleased to announce that at the Company's Annual General Meeting
held on 30 December 2009, all resolutions proposed to shareholders were duly
passed save for the resolution proposing the re-election of Mr Richard James as
a director of the Company.

Mr James withdrew his consent to be re-elected as a director of the Company
prior to the meeting and steps down as a director and the chief financial
officer with immediate effect to pursue other interests. He will be replaced as
chief financial officer by Mr Devidas Shetty. Mr Shetty will not be joining the
board at this stage.

Mr Shetty joins Gemfields with diverse experience in finance roles both in the
United Kingdom and overseas. Mr Shetty qualified as a chartered accountant from
India and has 10 years' experience encompassing mergers and acquisitions,
business start-ups, business turnarounds, strategic planning, treasury, tax and
financial reporting. Prior to joining Gemfields, Mr Shetty has worked in senior
roles for a private equity firm in London.

Commenting on the appointments, Ian Harebottle, CEO said `I would like to thank
Richard for his hard work and contribution to the Company and wish him all the
best in the future. I am confident that Mr Shetty will perform strongly as the
Company's chief financial officer.'

Enquiries:

Ian Harebottle, Chief Executive Officer               Tel: +44 (0)7825 265 120
Gemfields Plc

Mike Jones/Tarica Mpinga/Andrew Chubb                 Tel: +44 (0)20 7050 6500
Canaccord Adams Ltd
Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker to Gemfields