News
Indian jewellers promote natural diamonds amid competition from lab-grown stones
Falling prices for lab-grown diamonds and their resulting rise in market share are transforming India’s diamond jewellery market and prompting jewellers to take proactive measures.
Today
Ethiopia opens first gold refinery to serve region
Ethiopia has inaugurated its first gold refinery, a $50 million joint venture that the government hopes will establish the country as a regional hub for precious metals processing, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced over the weekend, according to Reuters...
Today
Anglo American bets R11.2B on South African mining's future
Anglo American has reaffirmed South Africa's potential as a premier mining investment destination, even as the company commits R11.2 billion ($677 million) to an ultra-high dense media separation iron-ore project at Sishen in the Northern...
Today
Nornickel forecasts $4 billion in precious metals revenue for 2026 - report
A senior Nornickel representative noted that the company expects to generate $4 billion in revenue from precious metals sales this year.
Today
Russia to build first permanent REM magnet plant
In 2028, Russia is set to start the construction of its first plant for manufacturing permanent magnets from rare-earth metals (REM) in the city of Glazov, to be commissioned in 2029 with an initial capacity of 500 tonnes per year, said Andrey...
Today
Diamond market crash is Africa’s opportunity, not its crisis – M'zée Fula Ngenge
Today
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 interview with Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa, he acknowledges the current pain is real.
Tracr passes 5 million rough diamonds milestone as De Beers expands provenance push
28 september 2026
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 platform also registered over 750,000 polished diamonds, supporting traceability across additional stages of the value chain.
South African diamonds head to Hong Kong: SDT partners with BRINKS for JGW 2026
14 september 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 told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa that the delegation, comprising six South African diamond businesses—Rez Diamonds, Exotic Diamonds, Millennium Diamonds, Imani Diamonds, Dimakasto Makgoe Diamonds and the Kimberley Diamond and Jewellery Incubator—will attend the event from 14 to 18 September 2026.
David Benderly: PermaScribe seeks to put trust mark on diamond table, not just girdle
31 august 2026
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 the role he sees for the technology in the industry's broader push for a globally recognised natural diamond trust mark.
The great reset: Paul Zimnisky on supply catharsis, De Beers' bargain and the case for natural diamonds
10 august 2026
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 diamonds have overtaken natural stones by volume in India's exports. In this interview with Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa, the New York-based independent diamond and jewellery analyst offers a candid assessment of supply catharsis, producer-country leverage and the natural diamond market's path forward.
Roman Karakurkchi: Maintaining the highest standards of jewelry craftsmanship
03 august 2026
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. He spoke to Rough&Polished about the International Jewellery School, its team, students, and master teachers, their involvement in creating the brand’s jewelry, craftsmanship standards, and global recognition.
Mehul Shah pledges to bring new approach to leading WFDB
27 july 2026
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. Previously, he served as WFDB Treasurer General. We asked Mr Shah to give our readers his special insights into the work of the WFDB and what distinct qualities he will bring to the leadership of the global diamond industry body which will next year celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding.
Charlotte Rose on making history, modernising the London Diamond Bourse, and why finance is the industry’s silent crisis
20 july 2026
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 Nyaungwa, the third-generation diamond specialist lays out an ambitious agenda: rebuilding membership tiers for the next generation, forging international partnerships like the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Diamond Exchange, and tackling the "de-banking" crisis that she describes as the single most pressing issue facing legitimate traders today.
Yoram Dvash: Industry unity, producer leadership and marketing investment key to natural diamond's future
29 june 2026
The natural diamond industry is navigating a period of significant transition, but there are increasing signs that the foundations for a stronger and more positive future are being built, according to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) president Yoram Dvash. In an interview with Rough&Polished's Mathew Nyaungwa, Dvash addressed the growing involvement of African producer countries such as Botswana and Angola, describing their leadership as “one of the most important developments our industry has seen in recent years.”
AWDC: First fully traceable artisanal diamonds from DRC sold on the international market in Antwerp
22 june 2026
In a historic milestone for the diamond industry, fully traceable, artisanal diamonds from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been sold on the international market for the very first time in Antwerp. Below, Ine Tassignon, AWDC spokesperson, provides further details on the project and its impact.
