David Johnson: De Beers charts cautious Angola return amid industry transformation

De Beers is rebuilding its presence in Angola through government partnerships and community engagement, marking a strategic comeback following its difficult exit years ago from the diamond-rich nation. However, De Beers spokesperson David Johnson cautioned...

24 november 2025

Maria Krasnova: Colored gemstones are a serious investment

Maria Krasnova, Executive Director of the renowned company “Samotsvety ot Sokolov” (Gems by Sokolov), spoke to Rough&Polished about the Gemstone project aimed at selling precious stones, as well as about current market trends, new challenges...

17 november 2025

Forging a new legacy: Tshenolo Ntshekang on building a black-owned diamond beneficiation business in South Africa

In an industry historically defined by limited access and foreign dominance, Tshenolo Ntshekang is carving a new path. The founder of Banzi and Karolo Projects, a black-owned diamond beneficiation business, Ntshekang, represents a growing wave of...

03 november 2025

Mahiar Borhanjoo returns to ‘The Heart Of The Diamond Business’

Having started his career in the diamond trade at De Beers in London, Mahiar Borhanjoo returned to the diamond giant last year as Chief Commercial Officer after working for a decade for other diamond companies. Mahiar explains why he returned to De Beers...

27 october 2025

Mubri president Ali Pastorini: You just need to play a transparent game and do everything possible to attract clients

Ali Pastorini, co-owner of the DEL LIMA JEWERLY and president of the Mubri International Association, which unites more than 2,500 wholesalers, retailers, and designers from 18 countries. In this interview with Rough&Polished Ali Pastorini talks about...

20 october 2025

Russia, Kazakhstan discuss cooperation in rare earths mining

14 november 2025

Russia and Kazakhstan are discussing plans to intensify cooperation in the rare earth metals mining, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Plans are being discussed to optimize cooperation in the chemical industry and the extraction of rare earth metals," Putin said after talks with Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Earlier, the Russian president instructed to approve a roadmap for the long-term development of mining and production of rare metals and rare earth metals. The goal is to form a sovereign industry, independent of imports from China and the United States.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the total reserves of 29 types of rare metals in Russia amount to 658 million tonnes. These include 15 rare earth metals, their reserves are estimated at 28.5 million tonnes.

Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished