How much CO2 is in a Pandora lab-grown diamond? 12.58 kg per carat

Pandora’s cradle-to‑gate carbon footprint study of its lab‑grown diamonds, verified by EY (formely Ernst & Young) under limited assurance, finds that one polished carat carries a footprint of 12.58 kg CO2 equivalent (e). The growing stage...

11 may 2026

Antwerp diamond trade volumes jump 20% in Q1 2026 as structural measures take hold

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) reported a nearly 20% increase in total diamond trading volume for the first quarter of 2026, driven by a 35.7% surge in rough diamond imports.

27 april 2026

‘AI is the engine, diamonds are preserved upside down, copper currently the path to value’ – Botswana Minerals’ Campbell on strategy shift

Botswana Minerals has positioned itself as a data-led, multi-commodity explorer, placing copper at the centre of its growth strategy while retaining diamond assets for future upside, Managing Director James Campbell has told Rough & Polished. In an exclusive...

13 april 2026

Emanuel Vieira Lopes: Angola's new digital mining cadastre to reduce permit times by a third

Angola's new Digital Mining Cadastre (CMA) is on track to reduce average permitting timelines by one-third once fully deployed, according to Emanuel Vieira Lopes, Advisor to the Secretary of State for Mineral Resources. In an interview with...

06 april 2026

Paul Zimnisky warns diamond trade at "crossroads" as geopolitical tensions, pending De Beers sale, and LGDs reshape market

As geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East, diamond industry analyst Paul Zimnisky warns that the impact is most acute at trading hubs like Dubai, where flight cancellations and travel fears are keeping buyers away. In a wide-ranging interview...

30 march 2026

RapNet and AGTA to jointly launch gemstone trading network

22 january 2025

Online diamond trading network RapNet has collaborated with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) to launch its Gemstone Trading Network for loose coloured gems.

The official launch is scheduled at the AGTA Gem Fair in Tucson next month. According to the company’s press service, the new trading platform highlights the growing significance of coloured stones within the global jewellery market and serves the evolving needs of the industry.

“We are thrilled to offer gem businesses the ability to connect and trade 24 hours a day,” said Saville Stern, COO of RapNet. “Our platform empowers sellers to reach a vast audience of buyers, while buyers can effortlessly find the perfect gemstone at the right price, anytime, anywhere. The collaboration with AGTA has been instrumental in creating a platform that meets the needs of the modern gem trade, and we are confident this partnership will drive success for gem buyers and sellers across the industry”.

The platform was developed in collaboration with AGTA and it integrates the trade association’s ethical standards and arbitration procedures to ensure trust and transparency in gemstone trading. It will maintain high industry standards while delivering cutting-edge solutions for gem dealers and retailers.

“The RapNet Gemstone Trading Network is set to revolutionize the way gems are bought and sold, providing a seamless, secure, and efficient marketplace for industry professionals worldwide,” RapNet said in a press release.

Theodor Lisovoy, Managing Editor, Rough&Polished