News
Israel’s diamond sector poised for revival following tax reforms and De Beers comeback
De Beers, one of the world's major diamond market players, has announced the resumption of its operations in Israel after a nine-year absence, which became the latest sign of revival of the diamond industry in the country.
Today
Kefi Gold and Copper restarts Tulu Kapi development after safety review
Kefi Gold and Copper has resumed development at its Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia following a suspension that began on September 7 after a serious safety incident three days earlier.
Today
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.
Yesterday
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...
Yesterday
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...
Yesterday
Color diamonds are more valuable and desirable and a better investment
17 september 2018
In 1993, Eyal Cohen started his career as a diamond cutter, sitting by his father’s side as an apprentice. 4 years later, he was recruited by a jewelry firm, where he learned to appreciate natural colored diamonds. In 2003, Eyal opened his own company, Luxury Diamonds Inc, which services wholesale jewelers, investors, private individuals and retail jewelry stores. Eyal specialises in a vibrant collection of loose diamonds and mounted jewelry pieces. The handcrafted pieces feature colorless and well as rare and unique natural fancy color diamonds. Here, Eyal Cohen speaks eloquently about his early days in the industry, as well as mentions his diamonds and jewelry designs that are breathtakingly beautiful.
Debate on the main issues affecting the diamond business is absolutely critical - Ernie Blom
10 september 2018
Having taken part in the fruitful discussions with the world leaders at the Asian Summit held recently in Vladivostok, Ernie Blom, President, World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) now looks forward to taking the worthy inputs received at the Summit and the Executive Committee Meeting for further growth of the diamond industry. The WFDB, with 28 bourses around the world affiliated to it now, was created in 1947 to protect and advocate the sustainable development of the diamond cutting industry and the market. Here, in an Interview with Rough&Polished, Ernie Blom, while steering the organization amicably, expresses confidence in the world diamond industry, reiterating his hope to take forward the role of the WFDB on the global stage.
Reflecting the nature of the industry, US jewellery market is significantly seasonal with great ‘ebb and flow’ in demand, opines Vin Lee
27 august 2018
Vin Lee, CEO of Beverly Hills-based Grand Metropolitan, a privately-held luxury goods holding company had migrated from Canada as a child. And one can see that it did not take him long to ascend the US luxury world, establishing himself as a formidable businessman today. Besides his businesses, he monitors his companies' participation in charity auctions, celebrity events, and red-carpet functions. Constantly on the move, he spends his time in South Florida and Southern California. In an interview with Rough & Polished, Vin Lee offers his views on the US jewellery market, synthetic diamonds, etc., very candidly… straight from the heart.
Vladimir Zboykov: New times have come for jewelers
20 august 2018
How a personal collection of minerals was thrown on the scrap-heap, who is behind the destruction of gemstone consumption culture in Russia and why jewelers will soon have to choose between business and prison – all this was told to Rough & Polished by Vladimir Zboykov, Executive Director of the Sectoral Department for Precious Metals and Precious Stones at Business Russia, an all-Russia public organization.
Changing preconceptions in the diamond and financial markets
13 august 2018
Eli Avidar is a man on the move…literally. In April, the former Israeli diplomat stepped away from the CEO’s office at the Israel Diamond Exchange, a position he had held for more than two years, and from the Israel Diamond Institute, where he had been CEO for more than a decade. Two months later he was named President of Carats.io, a Fintech startup that has created the worlds’ first digital currency wholly backed by gem-quality diamonds. As Israel Diamond Exchange CEO, Avidar was closely involved held in the establishment of Carats.io, which until June had formally been associated with the bourse. Here Eli Avidar speaks with Rough & Polished about the recent developments.
Chasing a dream…
06 august 2018
Elina Chan, MD of Shenzhen Shi Qing Yu Zhubao Ltd completed her higher education from Xiamen University and Master’s degree from Hong Kong University. To achieve her dream to start a business, Elina gave up numerous job opportunities in Hong Kong and moved to Shenzhen where she founded her company. Striving hard for 6 years to provide good quality products and services, her company has now earned an extraordinary reputation in the industry. Elina started her business aiming to excel in e-Commerce and also supply customized products to jewellery connoisseurs. When not running her business, she spends ample time teaching ‘Chinese’ as a second language to foreigners. Here, in an Interview with Rough&Polished, Elina takes us through her ‘voyage’ to achieve her dream with elan…
Pangolin Diamonds using termites to find kimberlite indicators in Botswana
30 july 2018
It is not a secret that the rate of kimberlite discovery in Botswana has dropped considerably and research has shown that termites can help diamond explorers have an understanding of the transport mechanism of kimberlite indicator minerals from the kimberlite to the surface. Studies have also shown that the concentration of indicator minerals at surface was directly dependent on the physical characteristics, capabilities and behavioural patterns of termite species common in the exploration area. Pangolin Diamonds chief executive Leon Daniels told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa on the sidelines of a mining conference last month in Gaborone that the company has for the past few years been using termites in its diamond exploration activities. He said they were starting to see results, although it will take some time before they make some discoveries.
In another fifty years, we’ll have a different scale of valuation, and all those items of natural origin – including diamonds – will sharply increase in price
24 july 2018
Within the framework of the Qatar-Russia 2018 Year of Culture, the World Diamond Museum hosts an exhibition of the Qatar Museums at the State Historical Museum in Moscow – "Pearls: Treasures of the Seas and the Rivers," that opened on 11 July 2018. Alex Popov is a founder and the Chairman of the World Diamond Museum. He spoke to Rough & Polished about this event.
Botswana Diamonds’ Campbell on Zim jaunt: We are interested in Kaapvaal Craton
09 july 2018
Botswana Diamonds and Vast Resources, recently signed a memorandum of understanding to prospect for diamonds in Zimbabwe. The two companies will exchange information derived from past exploration on areas prospective for diamonds in the southern African country and establish a special purpose vehicle, to be jointly owned by each company, for the purpose of developing and exploiting diamond resources. Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa spoke with Botswana Diamonds managing director James Campbell on the sidelines of a mining conference recently held in Gaborone, Botswana, to establish what pushed the diamond junior to get into Zimbabwe. Campbell also commented on the prospecting licence awarded to Botswana Diamonds in South Africa and their joint venture project with Alrosa in Botswana.
“Every Forevermark diamond has a unique inscription number which is an assurance that the diamond is beautiful, rare and responsibly sourced,” says Sachin Jain
02 july 2018
Sachin Jain, President-Forevermark, joined the company - a wholly owned subsidiary of the De Beers Group - as the Head of Retail in 2010. He was swiftly promoted to the Managing Director in 2011… to later become the President in year 2013. Sachin started his career as a young business graduate with Monks Italia that had only just launched in New Delhi. Next, he joined Benetton in 1999 as it made an entry into the Indian market. He left his position here as the regional manager, to join the Swatch Group as they were launching Tissot in India in 2002. He worked with the Swatch Group till 2007, and later spent 3 years at Lladro playing a pivotal role in the overall growth of the brand. With a career spanning 17 years at luxury goods and retail companies, Sachin is driven by his love for building businesses, teamwork and creating lasting relationships; and considers himself an entrepreneur at heart. Now, at Forevermark, Sachin effortlessly juggles multiple responsibilities whilst spearheading the business affairs of the brand. In an Interview with Rough & Polished, Sachn Jain speaks at length about Forevermark-the brand, its successful presence in India, and other industry related matters.
