News
Valterra Platinum forecasts record interim earnings surge on stronger PGM prices, volumes
Valterra Platinum has issued a trading statement for the six months ended 30 June 2026, forecasting headline earnings of between R18.5 billion ($1.12 billion) and R22.2 billion ($1.34 billion), representing an increase of more than 1,388%...
Today
Tatneft to extract lithium from associated waters during oil production
Tatneft has begun construction of an industrial-scale sorbent production facility with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year. These materials will enable the extraction of lithium from associated waters at oil fields, as reported by TASS.
Today
Ekati diamond mine to be closed down after failed attempts at sale
The Ekati diamond mine in Canada will be shut down by court order after its owner, Burgundy Diamond Mines, failed to find a buyer for the asset.
17 july 2026
Zijin begins lithium exports from DRC's Manono project to China — report
Zijin has started exporting lithium concentrate from its Manono project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Reuters.
17 july 2026
Nornickel CEO claims global demand for company’s metals ‘stable’
The demand for Norilsk Nickel metals in the global market is stable, but the situation with logistics and sales will remain difficult, said president of the company Vladimir Potanin during a meeting with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin.
17 july 2026
Who will bear the cost? Paul Zimnisky weighs in on U.S. jewellery tariff impact
14 april 2025
The United States jewellery industry is facing a complex balancing act as new tariffs on diamonds force wholesalers and retailers to decide whether to absorb costs, negotiate with overseas suppliers (particularly India), or pass them on to consumers. Paul Zimnisky, an independent diamond and jewellery analyst and consultant based in the New York City metro area, told Rough&Polished in an exclusive interview that the situation is very fluid, but the industry is going to have to deal with this in one way or another at the end of the day.
Thataitsile Moremedi: South Africa's State Diamond Trader providing market access, exposure for nascent manufacturers
31 march 2025
Although it is challenging for previously disadvantaged individuals to enter the diamond industry due to the financial barriers, South Africa's State Diamond Trader is providing nascent entrepreneurs with exposure, market access, and other support. This had been the experience of Kukame Diamonds and Projects founder and director Thataitsile Moremedi who exhibited at the country's inaugural diamond show in Cape Town last February.
Dr M'zée Fula Ngenge: KP has failed to adapt to contemporary challenges
17 march 2025
The United Nations-backed Kimberley Process (KP), established in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream rough diamond market, has failed to adapt to contemporary challenges, such as state-sponsored violence and sophisticated smuggling networks, according to the African Diamond Council (ADC) and African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) chairperson Dr M'zée Fula Ngenge.
Valentin Skurlov: Over the past 25 years, Fabergé Researches have progressed to discussing the new approaches to studying Fabergé’s legacy
03 march 2025
Valentin Skurlov is an Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (St. Petersburg), art historian, professor, Scientific Secretary at the Fabergé Memorial Foundation, consulting researcher in the Fabergé’s masterpieces at the Russian Art Department of Christie’s Auction House selling antiques, and an expert in valuing treasures of art belonging to the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Valery Budny: In the current economy, domestic jewelry manufacturing continues thanks to new technologies introduced over the past two decades
25 february 2025
In February, JUNWEX St. Petersburg 2025 International Jewelry Industry Forum, one of the most significant projects of the “Jewelry Russia” Unified Exhibition Program, was held in St. Petersburg. Valery Budny, Head of the Jewelry Russia Program and CEO of the RESTEC JUNWEX Media Holding, told Rough&Polished about the past event recently held, about the status of St. Petersburg as Russia’s jewelry capital, about the latest trends in the jewelry industry, as well as the forecasts for the future and his future plans.
Tshepo Molusi: South Africa establishes dedicated diamond retail shop in China
17 february 2025
T3 Diamonds founder Tshepo Molusi told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa at the inaugural South Africa Diamond Show in Cape Town that the shop opened an opportunity for diamond manufacturers under the incubation to export their products to China. He said he was elated by the move as most of their products were previously sold locally.
Nosiphiwo Mzamo: South Africa’s State Diamond Trader to buy diamonds from other African countries
10 february 2025
South Africa’s State Diamond Trader (SDT) is set to buy diamonds from other African countries starting with Botswana. SDT’s chief executive Nosiphiwo Mzamo told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa at the country’s inaugural diamond show, which recently took place on the sidelines of the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, that they will not be limited to a 10% run of mine, as is the case when they purchase local goods.
Edahn Golan: Halo effect from lab-grown diamonds driving high demand for large, 2-carat natural stones in the U.S.
27 january 2025
Edahn Golan, owner of the eponymous Edahn Golan Diamond Research and Data, told Rough & Polished's Mathew Nyaungwa in an exclusive interview that their research found a halo effect from lab-grown diamonds. He said the trend among lab-grown diamond (LGD) consumers to purchase larger and higher clarity LGs influences natural diamond buyers.
Paul Zimnisky: We will see a modest recovery in natural diamond demand and prices in 2025
13 january 2025
According to Paul Zimnisky, an independent diamond and jewellery analyst and consultant based in the New York metro area, the natural diamond industry will see a modest recovery in demand and prices this year. Zimnisky said a moderate recovery would require a stable U.S. and a slightly better China, which he sees as a possibility this year.
African Diamond Council makes traceability its top priority, wants KP to embrace Authentia.io
16 december 2024
The African Diamond Council (ADC) has made traceability its foremost priority and has been contributing to a traceability solution called Authentia.io for the last three and a half years, which is now ready to globally satisfy the traceability needs of the entire gemstone industry.
