The R&M “Lettre”

Alrosa has canceled its next two sales and urged caution from buyers and suppliers amid a steep downturn in the diamond market.

‘Succession’s’ Roy family helped bring this trend back in a major way.

Amid financial pressures and declining training opportunities, the number of lapidaries is plummeting — but there is cause for hope.

De Beers is putting the emphasis on natural diamonds in Q4 and ending Lightbox’s lab-grown diamond engagement ring test run.

Lightbox, De Beers’ lab-grown diamond brand, has called off its trial of engagement rings, citing a lack of business prospects.

Following an often-bitter public squabble that both riveted and unnerved the diamond trade, De Beers and Botswana have reached an agreement in principle that includes a new 10-year sales deal and a 25-year renewal of the company’s diamond mining licenses when they expire in 2029.

Gemologists have long used machines in diamond grading but technology has made it possible for them to “learn” how to do it on their own.

De Beers has reduced prices of larger rough diamonds at this week’s sight and has offered increased flexibility as the slow market continues to affect manufacturers.

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) will introduce an educational program for retailers after finding that imparting knowledge to consumers is key to increasing sales of mined stones.

The company is going underground at the A21 open pit, a move that will help extend the mine’s life into early 2026.

Despite U.S. sanctions, Russian diamond sales rose after the Ukraine war began, according to Kimberley Process (KP) statistics for the first half of 2022.

Manufacturers are split on whether small diamonds deserved such a sharp increase.