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

Critical raw materials recycling may reduce EU’s dependence on China - report

01 december 2025

EU industry chief Stephane Sejourne has expressed an opinion that recycling is likely to be a solution to reducing dependency on critical raw materials imports from China.

The EU has set a target value for critical raw materials recycling to meet its demand at 25% by 2030, according to Reuters report. Less than 1% of rare earths in the EU are currently recycled.

Sejourne said that the EU should speed up its deal-making for critical raw materials instead of waiting for multi-year trade deals to be signed. Gaining permits for new projects also needs to be simplified after "too many projects were abandoned" in the past.

"Companies also need to re-evaluate their risk and stop buying 100% Chinese," Sejourne noted.

Theodor Lisovoy, Managing Editor, Rough&Polished