Roman Karakurkchi: Maintaining the highest standards of jewelry craftsmanship

Roman Karakurkchi is the founder of the Roman Karakurkchi jewelry brand and the International Jewellery School that brings together instructors from Russia, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Italy, and Germany, as well as students from 65 countries...

03 august 2026

Mehul Shah pledges to bring new approach to leading WFDB

Mehul N. Shah, who was elected in July as President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses at the 41st World Diamond Congress in Singapore, is one of India's best-known diamantaires and a prominent leader in the international diamond industry...

27 july 2026

Charlotte Rose on making history, modernising the London Diamond Bourse, and why finance is the industry’s silent crisis

When Charlotte Rose was elected president of the London Diamond Bourse in June 2026, she didn't just break an 86-year tradition—she became the first woman to lead any diamond bourse globally. In an exclusive interview with Rough & Polished’s Mathew...

20 july 2026

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

Meya’s commercial diamond production delayed until at least Q4 2026, Trustco warns

10 july 2026

Meya Mining's transition to full commercial diamond production in Sierra Leone has been materially delayed and is now not expected before the fourth quarter of 2026 at the earliest, Trustco Group has warned.

The operation, in which Trustco holds a minority equity interest and a loan receivable of approximately $46 million, has been in operational readiness since January 2025 in response to challenging conditions in the diamond market.

This status is expected to continue until at least the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2026, after which it will be reassessed.

No date for the commencement of full commercial production has been confirmed.

Trustco said information received from the mine's operator and Meya's audited annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 show the development represents a material delay to the transition contemplated in an earlier announcement regarding a $25 million financing facility concluded between Meya and Ecobank Sierra Leone Limited in February 2026.

Meya's audited financial statements further record an unqualified audit opinion, which contains a material uncertainty related to the going concern, net current liabilities of $36.6 million as of 31 December 2025, and a dependence on available banking facilities and continued shareholder support.

Trustco confirmed it has not provided any suretyship, guarantee or similar credit support.

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished