David Johnson: De Beers charts cautious Angola return amid industry transformation

De Beers is rebuilding its presence in Angola through government partnerships and community engagement, marking a strategic comeback following its difficult exit years ago from the diamond-rich nation. However, De Beers spokesperson David Johnson cautioned...

24 november 2025

Maria Krasnova: Colored gemstones are a serious investment

Maria Krasnova, Executive Director of the renowned company “Samotsvety ot Sokolov” (Gems by Sokolov), spoke to Rough&Polished about the Gemstone project aimed at selling precious stones, as well as about current market trends, new challenges...

17 november 2025

Forging a new legacy: Tshenolo Ntshekang on building a black-owned diamond beneficiation business in South Africa

In an industry historically defined by limited access and foreign dominance, Tshenolo Ntshekang is carving a new path. The founder of Banzi and Karolo Projects, a black-owned diamond beneficiation business, Ntshekang, represents a growing wave of...

03 november 2025

Mahiar Borhanjoo returns to ‘The Heart Of The Diamond Business’

Having started his career in the diamond trade at De Beers in London, Mahiar Borhanjoo returned to the diamond giant last year as Chief Commercial Officer after working for a decade for other diamond companies. Mahiar explains why he returned to De Beers...

27 october 2025

Mubri president Ali Pastorini: You just need to play a transparent game and do everything possible to attract clients

Ali Pastorini, co-owner of the DEL LIMA JEWERLY and president of the Mubri International Association, which unites more than 2,500 wholesalers, retailers, and designers from 18 countries. In this interview with Rough&Polished Ali Pastorini talks about...

20 october 2025

Russian and Chinese scientists to conduct joint research in the Arctic

23 august 2024

Scientists from leading Russian and Chinese polar organizations have agreed to conduct joint research in the Arctic, the press service of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute reported.

"Scientists from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration and the Polar Research Institute of China have reached an agreement to conduct joint scientific projects in the Arctic. The first consultation meetings will begin in the autumn of this year," the message says.

Scientists from China were invited to join the work of their Russian colleagues from Arctic Expedition in the Svalbard archipelago and the North Pole drifting expeditions, and they, in turn, invited Russian scientists to the expedition on the Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2.

Chinese and Russian scientists are already successfully cooperating in Antarctica, and today there is a need to expand this cooperation at the North Pole, TASS notes. "It is important not only to develop existing scientific projects and share experiences, but also to look to the future, to solve large-scale scientific tasks, introduce advanced technologies, and train young specialists. Each of our countries has its own strengths, and by joining forces we will be able to achieve great success," said Alexander Makarov, Director of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.

Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished