Exclusive
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
A Review of the Russian Diamond Manufacturing Market in 2014
14 december 2015
For the global diamond industry Russia is primarily a source of mining, which means ALROSA, the diamond miner accounting for over a quarter of the world's diamond production. In the field of diamond cutting, according to various estimates, Russia’s share ranges from 4% to 7% of the market, which exceeds $ 19 billion. And this share is steadily declining due to high manufacturing costs. The main reasons behind this process are higher wages in Russia compared to India and the 18-percent VAT on purchased rough.
Leibish & Co.'s Argyle Tender Purchases Put Spotlight On Israeli Colored Diamonds
07 december 2015
With Israeli natural colored diamond firm Leibish & Co. securing 26 of the 65 diamonds offered for sale at the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender in early November, the spotlight has been placed on the Israeli colored stone sector. Leibish & Co. was easily the largest purchaser of colored stones at the prestigious annual sale. The winning bids were made in a strategic partnership with Kunming Trading Co, Leibish said.
Lessons Learned from Generic and Branded Advertising
30 november 2015
Diamond advertising is undergoing big changes. Last August, De Beers announced “a major investment in a holiday marketing campaign to generate increased consumer demand for diamond jewellery during the year-end holiday season”. The campaign will be launched alongside Forevermark’s “A Diamond is Forever” campaign, which is also aimed at generic diamond promotion. While the news was received with enthusiasm by the category, it also caused some puzzled faces. All clues point at the fact that De Beers’ decision was not planned in advance, and should rather be seen as “first emergency response” to the constant decline in the relative value of diamonds.
Israel Polished Diamond Fair Quiet but Diamantaires Praise the Concept
23 november 2015
Do the world's diamond exchanges have a responsibility to help create business for their members or is it each to his own and the survival of the fittest? According to the trade fairs that have been held at several of the world's diamond exchanges over the past two years or so, it seems clear that they strongly believe the bourses have a role to play in helping to create trade.
Lisbon is the new Dubai: What challenges are facing the new diamond exchange in Lisbon?
16 november 2015
Soon, Lisbon will see a new diamond exchange start its operations in Portugal. So far, it exists only on Facebook as a formal community of Lisbon Diamond Exchange. But Project Manager Vitor Rita told Rough & Polished, that this diamond exchange may begin trading in 2 or 3 years, while its stakeholders are currently busy obtaining all the necessary licenses.
Diwali is Knocking on Indian Doors
09 november 2015
The Indian diamond market was fairly active with brisk trading during the month of October, due to the oncoming festival and wedding seasons. The improved trading in polished stones can be attributed to the good number of overseas buyers from US, China, Israel and others, making their rounds just before the Indian market closes for Diwali vacations. Good demand was reported for 20 pointers to caraters of good colour and make during the month.
Third-Quarter Trading Update of ALROSA: What Lies behind the "Change in Product Mix"
02 november 2015
In the third quarter, along with the downward trend in sales, ALROSA’s prices set for gem-quality diamonds were bound upwards, though the company decreased prices for the entire product range by 8% at its September trading session. So, was it a success? It was, but relative. In fact, having maximized its sales revenue, ALROSA could not avoid a drop of 34% in terms of money against the previous quarter. Nevertheless, we think it useful to perceive how exactly this maximization is achieved, which makes it possible for ALROSA to keep close to De Beers as far as the value of best-selling rough is concerned.
Jewelry Set to Lead the Charge in 3D Printing
26 october 2015
A recent report by business consultancy firm AT Kearney has put the spotlight firmly on the development of 3D printing, and specifically as it relates to printing jewelry. The global value of 3D printing was estimated at $4.5 billion in recent years. But the publication of the new study by AT Kearney predicts that the market is set to triple in value over the next couple of years to $17.2 billion by 2020, with jewelry playing a large part aided by a wave of improving hardware and technology.
Indigenisation, power cuts: the double threat facing foreign miners in Zim
19 october 2015
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe recently appointed his nephew, Patrick Zhuwawo, as the country’s new empowerment minister. He is the third person to occupy the hot seat since September 2013. Zhuwawo has wasted no time in his new portfolio, as he made several pronouncements over the past few weeks, pointing to a revived drive to ensure compliance with the law.
India: Stars and Melees Still Running the Show
12 october 2015
Trading in the diamond market was quite brisk in August, with overseas buyers making their trip for their purchases; and the domestic buyers stocking up for the same reason and more…wedding season! Though polished prices were not what the sellers expected, business had to go on, as inventory had to be cleared. Some price haggling was happening even with lower end goods that were in high demand. High-end stones, good makes were short of supply in the market.
