Author: Steven Joseph

Anglo American is progressing with the sale of its 85 per cent stake in De Beers, with chief executive Duncan Wanblad indicating that a consortium of government and private investors is the most likely outcome. Botswana, which already holds 15 per cent of the diamond group, is expected to increase its shareholding, while Angola and Namibia have also expressed interest. Wanblad said the process is “relatively far advanced” and that Anglo is nearing the end of the second stage of bidding, during which a preferred buyer will be identified. Although he previously aimed to have the divestment substantively complete by…

Nivoda has relaunched its B2B gemstone marketplace, introducing changes to its platform structure and supplier network. The update coincides with the company’s debut at AGTA Tucson 2026 and comes ahead of JCK Las Vegas. The company states that the platform is now live and offers access to more than 40 gemstone varieties and subtypes from its listed suppliers. Platform Updates and Supplier Review According to Nivoda, the marketplace has undergone a supplier review, resulting in a revised partner network offering real-time access to coloured gemstones. The available range includes sapphires, emeralds, tsavorite garnets, and paraiba tourmalines, among others. The updated…

The Luanda Accord has expanded following its second high-level meeting at the African Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town, with Namibia becoming a signatory and both the Gem and Jewelry Export Promotion Council and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre moving towards membership of the Natural Diamond Council. The developments expand the group of producing countries and industry bodies contributing to generic marketing for natural diamonds through the NDC, which manages the Accord. Namibia Joins the Luanda Accord At the 9 February meeting, the Government of the Republic of Namibia formally signed the Luanda Accord, joining Angola, Botswana, and the Democratic…

The United States and India have agreed on a framework for an Interim Trade Agreement that will eliminate US import duties on Indian cut-and-polished natural diamonds and coloured gemstones once the deal is formally concluded. The arrangement, confirmed in a joint statement issued by both governments, also reduces the reciprocal tariff on Indian jewelry exports to 18%, while lab-grown diamonds remain subject to tariffs. According to the joint statement, and subject to the successful conclusion of the interim agreement, the US “will remove the reciprocal tariff on a wide range of goods identified…including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft…

The European Union and India have concluded a free trade agreement that will remove import tariffs on finished jewelry from India into the EU. Once ratified, the agreement will eliminate duties of up to 4 percent on precious metal jewelry, silver items, and imitation jewelry exported from India. It will also reduce duties on European polished diamonds and gemstones entering the Indian market. Duty Removal for Indian Jewelry Exports The agreement includes a provision for duty-free access for finished jewelry products from India to the EU. These goods are currently subject to import duties ranging from 2 percent to 4…

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has reported a 21% increase in fourth-quarter revenue year-on-year, reaching INR 3.2 billion ($34.8 million), supported by higher volumes in both natural and lab-grown diamond certification, as well as demand across jewelry and gemstone services. Performance Across Core Segments According to IGI’s financial results, the fourth-quarter growth was driven by performance in its four key segments: natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, jewelry, and gemstones. Profit after tax for the quarter rose by 18% to INR 1.35 billion ($14.6 million). The company noted increasing use of synthetic diamonds as a key factor in its revenue growth, citing…

A senior Angolan government and industry delegation visited Antwerp this week for meetings with the local diamond sector, hosted by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre. The visit focused on trade in Angolan rough diamonds and Antwerp’s role as a sales and distribution centre for international markets. Delegation and Meetings The delegation was led by Diamantino Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, and included José Ganga Junior, chairman of Endiama, and Eugénio Bravo da Rosa, chairman of SODIAM. Endiama oversees Angola’s diamond mining operations, while SODIAM is responsible for the sale of the country’s rough diamond production. According to AWDC, the…

Pandora has been named the most sustainable consumer brand in the 2026 Global 100 ranking by the research organisation Corporate Knights, placing second overall among more than 8,000 assessed companies. The company was recognised following its shift to using recycled precious metals and renewable energy in its production processes. Environmental Metrics and Ranking Criteria Corporate Knights evaluates publicly listed companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion, using indicators such as climate action, resource efficiency, and governance practices. Companies are assessed on the proportion of revenue and investments classified as sustainable, as well as growth in sustainable revenue over a two-year…

Diamonds Do Good has published its 2025 Impact Report, outlining grant activity and partnerships supporting education, health, and economic opportunity in natural diamond-producing and manufacturing communities. Pete Engel, Chair of Diamonds Do Good, said, “We are deeply thankful for the support and leadership of our supporters and partners. Their ongoing commitment helps us grow our impact, further our mission, and share genuine stories that connect with today’s consumers.” Global Grant Activity in 2025 The report sets out programme activity across southern Africa and India, including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Surat, and Western Gujarat in India Across these…

Claire’s Accessories is entering administration after its owner, Modella Capital, began insolvency proceedings in the UK and Ireland. The move follows weaker-than-expected Christmas trading and continued pressure on high street retailers, placing around 1,355 jobs at risk. Insolvency Proceedings Initiated Modella Capital, a private equity firm, confirmed that Claire’s Accessories could no longer trade profitably. The firm has filed notice to appoint administrators, with advisory firm Kroll expected to oversee the process. “This has been a very tough decision,” Modella said in a statement. “We have worked intensively in an effort to save the business, having made last-ditch attempts to…

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued new guidelines on the terminology for laboratory-grown diamonds, following recommendations from the Gem & Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The move is aimed at standardising terminology within the trade and providing a clearer distinction between natural and synthetic diamonds. Terminology Restrictions and Requirements Under the new BIS regulations, only the terms “laboratory-grown” and “laboratory-created” are permitted for synthetic diamonds. The use of descriptors such as “fake” and “artificial” is now prohibited, along with abbreviated terms including “lab-grown,” “lab-created,” “lab diamond,” and “LGD”. The rules also mandate full disclosure of any treatments applied…

Silver prices increased significantly in 2025, rising from around $29.50 per ounce in January to over $79 by the end of December. The 170% gain reflected higher investment activity, industrial use, and limited supply. The recent price movement has prompted varied forecasts for 2026. Jewellers may need to consider the potential impact on material costs, sourcing, and pricing. Price Performance Through 2025 Silver began the year just under $30 per ounce and followed a steady upward trend for most of the year, despite short-term volatility following US trade policy announcements in April. Prices accelerated in the second half of the…

Alexandria, a new London men’s high jewelry brand, launches today with a collection of 18k gold rings inspired by men who have shaped empires. Channelling Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Genghis Khan, the debut designs combine natural gemstones, guilloché grand feu enamel, and sculptural relief portraits of these historic conquerors who altered the course of civilisation. Founded by Ryan Bernell, Alexandria was born from a 10-year search for jewelry that upheld both masculine strength and artistic beauty. This search ultimately revealed a void in the luxury market. “I spent more than a decade looking for jewelry that was both…

Botswana’s president, Duma Boko, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to acquiring a majority stake in De Beers, currently majority-owned by Anglo American, despite warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about the potential economic risks involved. The Southern African nation already holds a 15% stake in De Beers. It has indicated its intention to expand that holding following Anglo American’s announcement that it plans to divest from the diamond business. Government Plans and Rationale Speaking in Kanye, President Boko dismissed the IMF’s advice, saying Batswana would make the decision based on the country’s needs. He stated that Botswana’s heavy contribution…

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced it will introduce redesigned coloured stone reports and expand its origin-determination services, effective 1 January 2026. The updated reports will apply to all items submitted on or after this date. The updated reports will feature changes to design and structure, with a focus on presenting gemological data in a more transparent and more standardised format. Additional Gemstone Origin Determinations From 2026, GIA will begin offering country-of-origin determination services for opal, peridot and demantoid garnet. These are additions to the current origin services provided for alexandrite, emerald, Paraíba tourmaline, red spinel, ruby, sapphire…

The Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) has announced changes to its Standards Committee, including the appointment of new Co-Chairs and the addition of new members from across the jewelry and mining sectors. The committee is responsible for overseeing the development and revision of RJC’s standards, including the Code of Practices, Chain of Custody, and Laboratory Grown Materials frameworks. The changes, effective from 1 January 2026, are intended to align RJC’s standards with evolving regulatory and sustainability requirements in the industry. New Leadership Sara Yood, President and CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), and Eduard Stefanescu, Sustainability Manager at C.HAFNER GmbH…

Wesley Tucker will step down as Chief Executive Officer of Tracr at the end of February 2026, De Beers Group has announced. A successor will be named in due course. Leadership and platform development Tucker joined De Beers Group in April 2021 as Head of Digital Transformation before taking on leadership of Tracr, the Group’s blockchain-based diamond traceability platform. During his time as CEO, Tracr moved from pilot stage to commercial deployment, with more than four million diamonds now registered on the platform. The platform has been listed three times on the Forbes Blockchain 50. Under Tucker’s leadership, Tracr introduced…

Eighteen Antwerp-based diamond companies have jointly financed a year’s worth of essential medicines and medical supplies for more than 35,000 patients in Botswana, following a national medical emergency declared earlier this year. Response to Medical Emergency Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Joy Kenewendo, visited Antwerp this week to thank the participating companies for their support. The initiative was coordinated by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), which oversaw the purchase of urgent medical supplies for the treatment of diabetes and cardiac patients. The medical funding follows Botswana’s announcement of a severe shortage of essential medicines during the summer. The…

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) has announced the appointment of Amber Pepper as its next Chief Executive Officer. She will succeed David Kellie, who will step down at the end of 2025. Role and Priorities In her new role, Pepper will lead the organisation’s efforts to strengthen consumer demand for natural diamonds and act as a central voice for the industry. The NDC stated that Pepper will prioritise work on digital engagement strategies aimed at younger consumers, supported by data-driven marketing. Her remit also includes shaping messaging around natural diamonds, with an emphasis on commercial results and reinforcing their position…

De Beers Group has launched its branded polished diamond line, ORIGIN De Beers Group, in retail stores across North America – the first time the range has been made available in physical retail environments. Retail Rollout and Distribution ORIGIN De Beers Group is now available through 19 retail partners operating 30 locations across the United States and Canada. Distribution is being facilitated through two De Beers Sightholders, Grandview Klein and Mahendra Brothers. Participating retailers include Wempe, London Jewelers, Gunderson’s, Mountz Jewelers, and others. Traceability and Blockchain Integration Each ORIGIN De Beers Group diamond over 0.3 carats is traceable through Tracr,…

The World Diamond Council (WDC) has called on participants of the 2025 Kimberley Process (KP) plenary to adopt a revised definition of conflict diamonds. WDC president Feriel Zerouki called on member governments to support the proposed changes during the plenary’s opening session in Dubai. The proposal is the result of three years of collaboration between the WDC, the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), and the Civil Society Coalition (CSC). Proposed Changes to the Definition The current KP definition limits conflict diamonds to rough stones used by rebel movements to fund conflicts against legitimate governments. The revised definition seeks to expand…

Ankit Gems, a De Beers Sightholder, has opened an expanded cutting and polishing facility in Windhoek, Namibia, increasing its monthly processing capacity from 3,500 to 10,000 carats. The project, undertaken with Namibian shareholders, supports the government’s beneficiation policy to improve local involvement in the diamond sector. Facility Expansion and Workforce Growth The new 3,000-square-metre facility triples the Site’s previous size and is expected to support a workforce of between 400 and 450 employees, up from the current 148. The company reports that 75% of the existing workforce is women. The facility was inaugurated on 7 November 2025 by Namibian President…

De Beers recorded a 38% year-on-year increase in diamond production in the third quarter of 2025, reaching 7.7 million carats, with a significant proportion of the increase due to higher output at the Jwaneng mine in Botswana. Sales volumes and revenue also rose, though trading conditions remained difficult due to tariff changes and discounted pricing strategies. Regional Production Overview Production in Botswana, De Beers’ largest contributor, rose by 51 percent to 6 million carats. Output at the Jwaneng mine more than doubled to 3.2 million carats, driven by the processing of higher-grade ore ahead of a planned plant maintenance shutdown…

Gemological Science International (GSI) has identified undisclosed lab-grown diamonds in jewelry set with natural brown diamonds. The discovery comes at a time when off-colour natural diamonds, including brown and champagne hues, are being positioned in the trade as alternatives to colourless stones. Detection methods and findings GSI used Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), DiamondView imaging and Raman spectroscopy with liquid nitrogen cooling to analyse the items. Lab-grown diamonds were found mixed with natural brown diamonds, with colours ranging from near colourless with faint brown modifiers to fancy dark brown. The organisation stated that these findings are consistent with earlier research…

The World Jewelry Confederation (CIBJO) has released the tenth and final pre-congress Special Report ahead of the 2025 CIBJO Congress, which opens in Paris on 27 October.  Prepared by the CIBJO Technology Committee, chaired by Stéphane Fischler, the report examines artificial intelligence (AI) as both a disruptor and an enabler within the jewelry sector. The paper examines AI’s potential applications in design, manufacturing and trading, and the challenges of maintaining creativity, ethics and transparency as these technologies become more common in the industry. “AI is neither inherently good nor bad,” Mr Fischler wrote. “Its success depends on how it is…

A new model for assessing gemstone durability, developed by Kennon Young of the Vermont Gemological Laboratory, has been introduced to the trade. Known as Young’s Durability Scale, it proposes a weighted, multi-factor approach to durability that extends beyond the traditional reliance on the Mohs scale of hardness. Beyond Hardness: A Revised Approach to Durability The Mohs scale, first introduced in 1812, has long served as the standard for evaluating gemstone wearability. However, it primarily measures surface scratch resistance and does not account for other critical aspects of durability. The new model by Young incorporates three core factors: hardness (35 percent…

Eight items of historical jewelry once owned by members of France’s 19th-century royal and imperial families have been stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris in a coordinated theft that lasted less than ten minutes. The pieces, which belonged to Empress Eugénie, Empress Marie-Louise, Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, were taken from the Apollo Gallery during opening hours. French police are treating the theft as the work of an organised criminal group. Break-In and Escape The incident took place on Sunday morning, 19 October, shortly after the museum opened to visitors. Four individuals arrived with a vehicle-mounted crane and used…

Eight items of historical jewelry once owned by members of France’s 19th-century royal and imperial families have been stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris in a coordinated theft that lasted less than ten minutes. The pieces, which belonged to Empress Eugénie, Empress Marie-Louise, Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, were taken from the Apollo Gallery during opening hours. French police are treating the theft as the work of an organised criminal group. Break-In and Escape The incident took place on Sunday morning, 19 October, shortly after the museum opened to visitors. Four individuals arrived with a vehicle-mounted crane and used…

De Beers Group has launched Desert diamonds, its first new category beacon in over a decade, supported by its largest marketing investment in more than ten years. The initiative focuses on promoting natural diamonds with earthy tones, inspired by desert landscapes. The Desert diamonds concept was first introduced at JCK Las Vegas earlier this year and now forms the basis of an international consumer campaign. New Beacon Concept with Natural Colour Focus A De Beers beacon is a category-wide initiative intended to align the jewelry industry around a shared theme. Previous examples include the tennis bracelet and the eternity ring.…

Natural polished diamonds of European origin, including those polished in Antwerp, will now be exempt from US import tariffs under a new executive order issued by the United States. The decision follows negotiations led by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and applies retroactively from 1 September. It removes the standard 15% duty that was previously applied to these goods, placing diamonds alongside other industrial exports such as metals, pharmaceuticals and chemicals on the US exemption list. The exemption is part of a wider trade arrangement between the European Commission and the US government. The relevant goods are included in…