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
Dr M'zée Fula Ngenge: Diamond industry must embrace transparency, new sales models to survive
13 october 2025
The global diamond industry must fundamentally overhaul its opaque and inefficient sales systems to survive a severe price slump and compete with lab-grown stones, according to Dr M'zée Fula Ngenge, Chairman of the African Diamond Council (ADC). His comments, made in an exclusive interview with Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa, follow and expand upon recent criticisms from within the industry.
There will continue to be a bifurcation between natural and synthetic diamonds, and people will return to natural stones, Billiton Diamond Auctions Director Antony Dear believes
06 october 2025
Antony Dear began his career in the diamond business in 1991 and is experienced in all the available diamond trading systems to date. In an exclusive interview with Rough&Polished, Antony Dear speaks about the current state of diamond auctions and tenders, shares his views on pricing transparency and building confidence in the diamond value chain.
Alexander Chamovskikh: Jewelry business is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and resourceful
29 september 2025
Alexander Chamovskikh is the founder and owner of the CHAMOVSKIKH Jewelry House and Chairman of the Ural Jewelers Guild. He spoke to Rough&Polished about what is required to build a brand, as well as about the jewelry market and the activities of the Ural Jewelers Guild, which he heads.
WPIC: Platinum market in modest deficit as prices surge amid supply constraints, shifting demand
22 september 2025
The platinum market recorded a modest deficit of 11,000 ounces (koz) in the second quarter of 2025, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC). This occurred against a backdrop of a significant 37% increase in platinum prices. The report seen by Rough&Polished shows that both supply and demand fell compared to Q2 2024, with total supply down 4% and total demand down 22%.
Yuri Shelementyev: New Horizons in the Gemological Industry
16 september 2025
Yuri Shelementyev told Rough&Polished about the upcoming International Conference on Gemology to be held in Moscow on October 1-2, about new challenges for the industry and how important it is today to unite the efforts of science, business and the state.
De Beers reports significant advancements in 2024 sustainability, provenance initiatives
25 august 2025
De Beers recently published its 2024 sustainability report, detailing meaningful progress across its key focus areas of climate action, livelihoods, nature conservation, and diamond provenance. The report seen by Rough&Polished highlights the company's ongoing commitment to its Building Forever sustainability framework.
Diversify economy, don't double down on diamonds: Zimnisky warns Botswana against De Beers takeover gamble
11 august 2025
It is in Botswana’s best interest to focus more on diversifying the economy rather than doubling down on diamonds, according to Paul Zimnisky, an independent diamond and jewellery analyst based in New York. Botswana has indicated willingness to increase its stake in De Beers from 15% to a majority position. He told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa in an exclusive interview that public-private partnerships tend to work best when the government does not have the controlling share and instead leans on a strong private partner.
Peter Meeus addresses the existential threat facing Dubai's polished diamond sector: Will history repeat itself?
31 july 2025
Dubai’s polished diamond industry is under threat, reminiscent of its historic pearling decline, says Peter Meeus, former head of Antwerp Diamond Bourse, co-founder of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and Honorary Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange. He told Rough & Polished that Dubai now faces challenges that could undermine its position despite leading in the rough diamond trade and logging $13.1 billion in polished diamond deals in 2024.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem on the enduring value of natural diamonds
14 july 2025
Natural diamonds stand as timeless testaments to human aspiration, economic resilience, and technological innovation in an era where fleeting trends dominate, according to the Dubai Multi-Commodity Centre (DMCC) executive chairperson and chief executive Ahmed Bin Sulayem.
Failed embargo, new crises: the unintended consequences of CAR's diamond embargo
07 july 2025
The Kimberley Process embargo on the Central African Republic (CAR) diamonds, while intended to sever the link between the precious stones and armed conflict, ultimately created a cascade of damaging consequences that hurt the very people it was meant to protect. A new IPIS report released last month shows how these well-intentioned sanctions backfired spectacularly, with artisanal miners bearing the brunt of the economic fallout while armed groups simply diversified their revenue streams.
