The R&M “Lettre”

It also has a new sourcing program called Code of Origin and a partnership with National Geographic to help protect the Okavango Delta.

After the COVID-19 pandemic forced many couples to postpone or cancel their weddings in 2020 and 2021, forecasters are now predicting a “wedding boom” in 2022.

 Among the challenges of assessing the lab-grown diamond market is the lack of published data on the sector. That’s largely because none of the companies operating in the space are publicly traded, which would require them to disclose metrics such as sales, profit and production.

These five themes are defining the diamond market this year, and likely beyond.

The diamond industry is in its healthiest state in over a decade, but it will need to be proactive if it wants to maintain that progress.

Factors such as US fiscal policy and Chinese jewelry demand are boosting the market for now, but inflation and other complications are on the horizon.

 The rough market is buoyant after yet another price increase by De Beers, leaving many in the trade scratching their heads. Goods are selling at strong premiums on the secondary market — double-digit percentages in some categories — as manufacturers continue to boost production after the past year’s coronavirus-induced stoppages.

A few days after Lucara Diamond discovered yet another 1,000-plus ct. diamond at its Karowe mine (pictured) in Botswana, the company announced it has received 38 million Canadian dollars (about $30.9 million) in new funding.

Polished diamond prices are on a near year-long rally, rising more than 18% since last July when they hit a record low.

Diamond jewelry sales rose by about 30% in the last three months—February through May—versus 2019, according to the Natural Diamond Council (NDC).

Having improved its creditworthiness before and during the pandemic, the industry is learning to rely less on its lenders.

India is experiencing a shortage of diamonds as rough supply has dropped and polished goods remain stuck at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).