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

Platinum and palladium to be produced in Russia’s Arctic zone

17 july 2026

RT-Engineering, a holding company of the Rostec state corporation, has completed the main stage of construction at the Chernogorsk Mining and Processing Plant, which will become a major new center for mining and processing of ores containing platinum group metals (PGM).

According to Rostec, the first ore is already being processed at the plant in the Norilsk Industrial District. However, the full commercial launch of the plant is planned for the end of 2026.

The first stage is designed to process up to 9 million tonnes of ore per year. Once fully operational, the plant will be able to produce up to 250,000 tonnes of copper-nickel concentrate containing platinum, palladium, and other platinum group metals.

The company plans to increase the plant’s capacity to 14 million tonnes of ore to produce up to 55 tonnes of PGM per year. The project will be operational for more than 50 years.

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