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Diamond market crash is Africa’s opportunity, not its crisis – M'zée Fula Ngenge
Global natural diamond supply is forecast to fall below 95 million carats this year, the lowest since 1987. For Dr. M'zée Fula Ngenge, chairperson of the African Diamond Council (ADC), this is not a death knell but a clarion call. In an exclusive...
Yesterday
Tracr passes 5 million rough diamonds milestone as De Beers expands provenance push
De Beers Group's blockchain-enabled traceability platform Tracr reached a significant milestone in 2025, with more than 5 million rough diamonds individually scanned and registered, up from 2.8 million cumulative registrations reported in 2024. The...
28 september 2026
South African diamonds head to Hong Kong: SDT partners with BRINKS for JGW 2026
South Africa’s State Diamond Trader (SDT) has confirmed the country's participation in Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong (JGW) 2026 through a partnership with BRINKS. SDT marketing and communication manager Tsholofelo Gopolang Tselapedi...
14 september 2026
David Benderly: PermaScribe seeks to put trust mark on diamond table, not just girdle
In this interview with Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa, PhotoScribe Technologies president and chief executive David Benderly explains how PermaScribe differs technically from conventional laser inscription, its potential to strengthen security, and...
31 august 2026
The great reset: Paul Zimnisky on supply catharsis, De Beers' bargain and the case for natural diamonds
The natural diamond industry is in the throes of its most profound reset in a generation. Supply is plunging to its lowest level since 1987 and De Beers—once valued at over $9 billion—is reportedly being sold for as little as $1 billion.
Lab-grown...
10 august 2026
Of weak oil revenue, diamond mining and rebel threats in Angola
12 september 2016
Angola reduced its 2016 economic growth forecast last month due to weak oil prices, which battered state revenues. Angola, the third-largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, was expected to register an economic growth of 1.3 percent this year down from the previous forecast of 3.3 percent, according the finance ministry. Luanda’s spending would be cut to $24 billion from $30 billion projected in the original 2016 budget while revenues were also slashed to $18 billion from $24.4 billion. With the slump in oil revenues coupled with the resurgent Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), the focus had been on diamonds as a serious contributor of revenue to the nation’s treasury.
Mining firms creating a sustainable future for diamonds
05 september 2016
The release in August by Tiffany & Co. of its sixth annual Sustainability Report outlining the company’s corporate social responsibility work, commitment to the environment, and contributions to the communities in which it operates in more than 30 countries has helped put the spotlight on the diamond and jewelry industry's moves in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility. Although widespread, these actions are little reported. Among Tiffany's highlights for last year was that for the first time, every new store opened in 2015 was lit by energy efficient LED. More than 100 Tiffany stores have LED lighting. And in the diamond arena, there are many companies – particularly the larger enterprises such as De Beers and Rosy Blue – carrying out CSR activities. Rosy Blue has led the way in promoting CSR, having published annual reports since 2011, with an emphasis on human rights, working conditions, ethical sourcing and responsible business practices, community empowerment and caring for the environment.
Striving to bring back the sparkle
29 august 2016
The Indian diamond industry was fairly active, given that the preparation for the IIJS 2016 was in full swing throughout the month of July. With both the JCK Las Vegas as well as the HongKong June Show was below expectations for the Indians, they were looking forward for their own country’s major Show IIJS 2016. According to market watchers, polished prices in India has softened due to high inventory levels in the Surat and other smaller cutting centres. Rough prices too are said to have declined in the secondary market. To reduce inventory and improve cash flow, manufacturers are said to have offered heavy discounts.
With new mines on the way, Canada consolidates third-largest rough diamond producer position
22 august 2016
While Kimberley Process Certification Scheme figures for 2015 showed that Russia is by far the world's largest diamond producer and Botswana in second place, they also show that Canada continues to consolidate its position as the world's third-largest producer by value.
Second-tier companies in global diamond mining - Lucara Diamond Corporation
15 august 2016
Lucara Diamond Corporation is among the upswing diamond companies set up quite recently. The Company has a 60% share in the AK6 kimberlite project at the Karowe mine in Botswana. It also has a diamond project Mothae in Lesotho and a Kavango project in Namibia. Lucara Diamond Corporation plans to develop the mines in Zimbabwe and Cameroon. The main diamond production is carried out at the Karowe diamond deposit in Botswana by Boteti Mining Limited that is wholly-owned by the Company and is its major diamond mining operation.
Diamond Producers Association's campaign targets millennials
08 august 2016
One of the most promising developments for the global diamond and jewelry industry over the past year was the foundation of the Diamond Producers Association (DPA). Established by ALROSA, De Beers, Rio Tinto Diamonds, Dominion Diamond Corporation, Lucara Diamond Corporation, Petra Diamonds Ltd and Gem Diamonds Ltd, and led by industry veterans, it targets a rise in consumer demand for diamonds and diamond jewelry.
Decline in weddings a bad sign for bridal jewelry sales
01 august 2016
It's clear that demographics hit sales of every product imaginable; marketing people don't move without knowing what consumers are doing and thinking. But the diamond and jewelry industry face a particular problem which may be beyond the ability of even the most skilled marketers to fix. Around the world – and particularly in the important U.S. market and across Europe – marriage rates are falling. Young people are less committed to the institution of marriage and if they do get married they often forego the need for a wedding ring or buy a much lower-priced one than couples did in the past. The problem is even more serious when one takes into account the fact that the bridal market in the United States and Europe is the bedrock of retail jewelry sales. Holiday season sales are vital and events such as Valentine's Day also bring in much needed revenue, but bridal jewelry is the base.
About Tom Thumb and sleeping giants
25 july 2016
Last week, all were pretty excited over Morgan Stanley’s research on the synthetic diamond market. In short, Morgan Stanley says that the share of synthetics is so far negligible, but not for long. By their estimation, following even the worst scenario synthetics will have a 15% share in the world market of melee diamonds by 2020, thus pulling their prices down. According to our estimates, the situation is even worse than it is described in this study. Synthetic diamonds are already here, affecting the market quite significantly. And if diamond mining companies will not take any measures as soon as possible, we may lose the market much faster.
ALROSA will never walk alone
18 july 2016
The Liverpool Football Club of England, the holder of a glorious name and a large number of sport records, has been deprived of success in the international arena for as long as 11 years and unlucky to win a home championship for more than a quarter of a century. But regardless of its tournament standing, Liverpool F. C. has gained fame with its anthem, “You'll never walk alone”. This song, written by American composers Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1945 for the “Carousel” musical, had originally nothing to do with football, but now it is strongly associated with the Merseysiders. Despite the hardships, the favorite team will not be left without support - this is the meaning of this song in the interpretation of Liverpool fans. It is not known how many football fans are among the new shareholders of ALROSA, who bought the company’s equities during its recent SPO, but the organizers went into attack on their wallets like Ian Rush, the legendary Liverpool striker used to penetrate to the rivals’ gate – always taking a shortcut.
Silver is the ‘new gold’ for Indian exporters… at least for now
11 july 2016
Global demand for Indian silver jewellery has witnessed enormous demand in the last five years. Consumer preferences have been fast changing in the overseas markets; and silver is apt for modern designs and taste of some consumers who are not in favour of the strong yellow gold colour. Silver therefore comes in handy especially for entry level plain silver jewellery as well as studded (diamonds or color stones) jewellery, in comparison to the more expensive metals like platinum or white gold. Silver jewellery exports from India have risen four times in the last five years. India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council recently announced its financial year figures which showed that the country’s silver jewellery exports recorded $2,959 million in the financial year 2015-16 compared to $566 million in FY 2010-11. And from the previous financial year 2014-15 when exports of silver ornaments registered $2,052.10 million, this financial year’s statistics shows a rise of 44%.
