Yoram Dvash: Industry unity, producer leadership and marketing investment key to natural diamond's future

The natural diamond industry is navigating a period of significant transition, but there are increasing signs that the foundations for a stronger and more positive future are being built, according to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB)...

29 june 2026

AWDC: First fully traceable artisanal diamonds from DRC sold on the international market in Antwerp

In a historic milestone for the diamond industry, fully traceable, artisanal diamonds from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been sold on the international market for the very first time in Antwerp. Below, Ine Tassignon, AWDC spokesperson, provides...

22 june 2026

Natural diamonds most desired luxury jewellery, Gen Z spending double baby boomers, reveals De Beers report

Natural diamonds remain the most desired jewellery item among US consumers, with Millennials and Gen Z driving demand value and spending, according to De Beers Group’s The Diamond Report, which draws on the biannual Diamond Acquisition Study of 18,500...

15 june 2026

Edahn Golan: India’s lab-grown diamond exports surpass natural diamonds by volume, yet value gap widens

India’s diamond industry has reached a historic turning point. In March and April 2026, the volume of lab‑grown diamond exports overtook that of natural diamonds, with lab‑grown stones accounting for 51% and 50.4% of total export volume respectively...

01 june 2026

Dr M’zée Fula-Ngenge: Kimberley Process failing Africa

The Kimberley Process (KP) is failing Africa, and the world's definition of a “conflict diamond” is a moral and legal absurdity, according to the African Diamond Council (ADC) chairperson M’zée Fula-Ngenge. The following exclusive...

18 may 2026

Traxys inks graphite concentrate offtake agreement with NMG for refractory markets in North America and Europe

12 january 2026

International metals and minerals trading house Traxys has finalized a binding offtake and marketing agreement with Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG) to acquire 20,000 tonnes of natural graphite concentrate per year, intended for the refractory materials market.

The graphite concentrate will be sourced from NMG’s Matawinie mine in Canada. With an initial seven-year term following the start of full-scale production, the agreement is expected to include sales pricing based on market indices.

"Industries are seeking reliable, high-purity, and responsibly produced graphite to ensure supply security and continued growth. With North American and European economies reshoring critical mineral value chains and manufacturing capacities, we see compelling opportunities to partner with Traxys to serve steelmakers and refractory producers,” said NMG president and CEO Eric Desaulniers.

Traxys said that the global refractory market is valued at $45 billion with a projected compound annual growth rate of 9.1% to 2033. The major application of refractory materials is in the steelmaking industry for such applications as bricks, electric arc furnaces, crucibles, and carbon raisers.

Theodor Lisovoy, Managing Editor, Rough&Polished