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
De Beers swings to $511m loss as diamond market weakens
02 march 2026
De Beers recorded an underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) loss of $511 million in 2025, swinging from a $25 million loss in the prior year, as challenging trading conditions and stock rebalancing initiatives weighed on earnings. Below are excerpts from the interim financial report gleaned by Rough & Polished.
Svetlana Stepanova: A jeweller must consider many factors when creating a piece
23 february 2026
The Russian jewelry brand Cappulo was founded in Moscow in 2010 by jewelry designer Svetlana Stepanova. It specializes in premium handcrafted jewelry pieces featuring 18K gold and rhodium-plated silver. Svetlana is a winner of the Russian Diamond Line and the Russia 21st Century jewelry design awards held by the Gokhran of Russia.
African Diamond Council threatens alternative certification system
26 january 2026
The African Diamond Council (ADC) has launched a scathing critique of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and issued a direct ultimatum to the incoming 2026 chair, India, demanding fundamental reforms or facing Africa's strategic withdrawal from the system. The ADC chairperson, Dr M’zèe Fula Ngenge, told Rough&Polished in an exclusive interview that failure to enact these reforms by the end of India's 2026 term would trigger a coordinated disengagement of African nations from the KP.
Paul Zimnisky warns diamond industry is "killing the proverbial golden goose," urges radical split from LGDs
29 december 2025
Diamond industry analyst Paul Zimnisky delivered a sobering assessment of the sector's 2025 performance, placing blame squarely on the trade's own practices. He argued that by marketing natural and lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) as interchangeable products, the industry is eroding the unique value proposition of natural stones and "risks killing the proverbial golden goose."
Goldplat reports challenging year with strategic shifts amid lower profits
22 december 2025
Goldplat PLC's annual report for the year ended 30 June 2025 presents a year of operational and financial challenge, marked by a significant reduction in profitability. The company reported a profit after tax attributable to owners of GBP1,01 million ($1.35 million), a decrease from GBP4,208,000 ($5.6 million) the prior year, primarily driven by a business model change in Ghana and an impairment charge.
David Johnson: De Beers charts cautious Angola return amid industry transformation
24 november 2025
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 that establishing a revenue-generating mine remains a long-term prospect, telling Rough & Polished's Mathew Nyaungwa that "it would be several years at least before a mine could be developed from a commercially viable deposit."
Maria Krasnova: Colored gemstones are a serious investment
17 november 2025
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 in gemology, and gemstones as an investment.
Forging a new legacy: Tshenolo Ntshekang on building a black-owned diamond beneficiation business in South Africa
03 november 2025
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 South African entrepreneurs determined to transform the country's diamond narrative from mere extraction to one of ownership, value addition, and economic empowerment. In this exclusive interview, he details his 12-year journey from trainee at De Beers to business owner, highlighting both the profound rewards and significant challenges of building a manufacturing enterprise in a subdued global market. Ntshekang passionately articulates the critical importance of collaboration, the pivotal role of the South African State Diamond Trader (SDT), and the transformative potential of beneficiation to create jobs, develop skills, and ensure that the legacy of South Africa's diamonds benefits its people.
Mahiar Borhanjoo returns to ‘The Heart Of The Diamond Business’
27 october 2025
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 and what his new position involves, as well as what he brings to his new role. In addition, he gives his views on the state of the diamond industry and why London still plays a central role in the diamond trade.
Mubri president Ali Pastorini: You just need to play a transparent game and do everything possible to attract clients
20 october 2025
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 the situation in the global diamond market, the main trends and problems of the jewelry business in Latin America.
