News
Richemont, Signet in talks to join De Beers consortium – report
Luxury group Richemont and US retailer Signet Jewelers are in advanced talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium (GDC) bidding for De Beers, according to five people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports.
16 october 2026
Rio Tinto begins Q4 of 2026 with strong operational performance
The Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto has reported its third-quarter 2026 results, highlighting strong operational performance.
16 october 2026
Silver market deficit to widen in 2026 - report
In the latest World Silver Survey prepared by the Silver Institute and Metals Focus, the global silver market deficit is forecast to widen for the sixth consecutive year to 46.3 million ounces.
16 october 2026
Tharisa signs PGM offtake deal with Valterra Platinum, expands chrome collaboration
South Africa’s Tharisa has entered a binding arrangement for the sale of PGM concentrate to Rustenburg Platinum Mines, a subsidiary of Valterra Platinum, effective 1 January 2027.
16 october 2026
Norilsk hosts Nornickel’s 3rd Geology and Mine Surveying Forum
The 3rd Geology and Mine Surveying Forum, organized by Nornickel, has kicked off in Norilsk. The event continues to grow in scope, this year bringing together representatives from universities, equipment suppliers, design teams, mining companies, and...
16 october 2026
Once-sparkling Tiffany has lost its luster
08 august 2017
(marketwatch.com) - The turmoil at Tiffany & Co. reached a climax on a Sunday in February, just hours before the launch of a new Super Bowl ad campaign featuring Lady Gaga. Instead of congratulating Chief Executive Frederic Cumenal on his effort to update the face of the 180-year-old jeweler, the board of directors had surprising news - he was out. The Frenchman had been hired two years earlier to boost growth and refresh the company's image. But sales and profits fell two years in a row, and directors grew more concerned when Mr. Cumenal presented a three-year strategic plan in the fall of 2016 that didn't forecast much improvement, according to people familiar with the situation. Tiffany said it wanted a leader who could deliver results faster.
Beneficiation: A Road Worth Traveling, But Destination Difficult To Find
07 august 2017
(idexonline.com) - A conversation with the minerals and mining minister of an African diamond-producing company a couple of months ago really served to highlight the point at which beneficiation has arrived. And I am not sure that road traveled so far is particularly impressive. A decade has passed since then South African President Thabo Mbeki really brought the issue to the attention of the global diamond industry. That's rather ironic, of course, since his country has arguably achieved the least in this respect. From a Western perspective, I suspect the feeling is that an awful lot has been achieved to the point that it is felt by many that not much more needs to be done. Then there are many people who claim that the experience has proven that beneficiating African stones cannot profitably be achieved. They argue that since a massive infrastructure already exists in India for manufacturing diamonds, then there is little point in building whole new manufacturing centers in African states. The cost of creating a manufacturing base in African producing states, along with training staff and carrying out the actual cutting and polishing work is, indeed, very high and the per carat price is higher than that for goods polished in India.
The State of the Diamond Industry in the Second Half of 2017
04 august 2017
(paulzimnisky.com) - After a very strong recovery following an industry-wide inventory buildup in 2014-2015 and again after India’s demonetization in late-2016, the diamond industry’s momentum has begun to stall, or perhaps normalize is the proper verbiage. Here we are little more than half way through 2017, and industry fundamentals are not necessarily negative, but signals are mixed with a subdued tone. In the industry’s largest market, the U.S., retail diamond jewelry demand is somewhat underwhelming as large national retailers have underperformed so far this year despite a resilient economy and a stock market that seems to make new highs daily. In China, the industry’s second largest market, demand is improving but the market is not thriving. Rough prices are higher this year, but polished is flat, if not down in some categories, and there are indications that excess polished inventory is building. De Beers appears to be attempting to curtail excess supply to the market by continuing to raise rough prices while reducing allocations to clients, while Russian-major ALROSA (RTS: ALRS) is increasing production and supply to clients due to "strong demand."
July 2017 Market report
03 august 2017
(ehudlaniado.com) - The global diamond industry has entered a slow period as specialty jewelry retailers go on vacation. Although a cyclical occurrence, this year traders are expressing deep concern over the levels of demands. Pressure on polished diamond prices are mounting. One trader summed up the situation: “what we probably need is a different business approach,” he said. All metrics say he is right.
To Ask or Not To Ask, That Is the Question
02 august 2017
(thediamondloupe.com) - Innovation is the key to sustained success, even for a traditional industry such as the diamond trade. Successful innovation, however, starts with questioning what we do and why we are doing it. In view of the Antwerp Summer University program, “From Mine to Finger: A deep dive into the world of diamonds”, which starts in late August and will feature special sessions on Innovation & Diamonds, we bring you a summer reading suggestion from Bart De Hantsetters, President of the Syndicate of the Belgian Diamond Industry.
