Vladimir Pilyushin: The jewelry market is not stand-alone and moves by the same laws as other markets

Vladimir Pilyushin is editor-in-chief of Russian Jeweler, a leading magazine about the jewelry industry in Russia. He told Rough&Polished about his view on the evolution of the jewelry industry in Russia and touched upon some of its problems.

16 september 2024

Sarine’s David Block: Diamond Industry at Standstill Until Chinese Demand Returns

David Block is CEO of Israel’s Sarine Technologies and has served in the position since 2012. In this exclusive interview for Rough and Polished, Block gives his opinion on the leading issues affecting today’s diamond trade.

11 september 2024

Dr M'zée Fula Ngenge: Demand for considerable-sized diamonds stronger than ever

The African Diamond Council (ADC) chairperson Dr M'zée Fula Ngenge told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa in an exclusive interview that although overall global diamond prices have been somewhat soft, the demand for considerable-sized diamonds...

02 september 2024

Amplats sees prospects as a standalone company

Anglo has revealed its plans to demerge Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), which has operations in South Africa and Zimbabwe, to optimise shareholder value. Rough&Polished contacted Amplats to comment on this and other issues but was referred...

19 august 2024

WFDB President Yoram Dvash Remains Confident Despite Global Diamond Challenges

Yoram Dvash is President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) having been elected in 2020. He found time in his busy schedule to speak to Rough&Polished about the state of the diamond industry around the world and some of the major...

12 august 2024

Melting Arctic is releasing ancient germs

23 december 2022
Scientists have recently revived several large viruses that had been buried in the frozen Siberian ground for tens of thousands of years. The oldest virus ever to have been revived is the 48,500 years old Pandoravirus, and the youngest virus is 27,000 years old, according to a media report.
The thawing permafrost is reported to be releasing organic matter, including bacteria and viruses that can still reproduce.
Recently, a group of scientists from France, Germany and Russia reanimated 13 viruses drawn from seven samples of Siberian permafrost.
All the viruses cultured so far are giant DNA viruses that only affect amoebae. They are very unlikely to pose danger to humans or animals. But studies are bound to throw up more results in the future.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished