Diamond Sector Outlook – Entering a growth and disruption phase

(ABN AMRO) - In this publication: The diamond industry has moved from a relatively stable environment to a highly uncertain environment. 2018 was the year that De Beers launched its lab-grown diamond jewellery. 2019 and the years ahead will see lab-grown diamonds for jewellery entering the growth phase. This has serious consequences for the actors in the diamond industry. Natural diamond buyers such as retailers, consumers and jewellery manufacturers) will likely de-stock and hold less inventory. This will result in lower demand for natural diamonds and weigh on prices. Miners will rethink their strategy in light of uncertainty about natural diamond demand, and questions about the value of a diamond. Lab-grown diamond producers will probably focus on technology to become less energy dependent, or use more sustainable energy sources, to increase the product suite and lower prices for the lab-grown diamonds used in jewellery. Consumers will profit from the wider variety of diamonds at more attractive prices.