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

Roman Karakurkchi: Maintaining the highest standards of jewelry craftsmanship

Roman Karakurkchi is the founder of the Roman Karakurkchi jewelry brand and the International Jewellery School that brings together instructors from Russia, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Italy, and Germany, as well as students from 65 countries...

03 august 2026

Mehul Shah pledges to bring new approach to leading WFDB

Mehul N. Shah, who was elected in July as President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses at the 41st World Diamond Congress in Singapore, is one of India's best-known diamantaires and a prominent leader in the international diamond industry...

27 july 2026

Charlotte Rose on making history, modernising the London Diamond Bourse, and why finance is the industry’s silent crisis

When Charlotte Rose was elected president of the London Diamond Bourse in June 2026, she didn't just break an 86-year tradition—she became the first woman to lead any diamond bourse globally. In an exclusive interview with Rough & Polished’s Mathew...

20 july 2026

Arctic zone generates 11% - 12% of Russia’s GDP

04 december 2024

The Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, where about 2.2 million people live (1.5% of the country's population and 40% of the population of the entire Arctic), according to Rosstat, generates about 11% - 12% of Russia's GDP and provides over 20% of all-Russian exports.

"As of the end of 2023, there were more than 700 oil and gas fields, deposits of non-ferrous and precious metals, including more than 350 gold deposits in the Arctic territories," said Maxim Maksimov, Associate professor of the Department of Innovation and Industrial Policy Management at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.

As of today, 83% of combustible natural gas and 17% of oil in Russia are produced in the Arctic zone. At the same time, by 2035, the share of Arctic oil production may amount to 25% of the total oil production in the country, and the share of Russian gas, based on forecasts, will grow to 92% of total production, rbc.ru notes.

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