Alrosa’s long-term clients bought 102 of more than 800 large rough diamonds offered in the company’s biggest ever digital tender. The remaining stones will now be made available to other customers to select from 5-10 carats batches.For the first time, the Russian state-owned miner sold diamonds online from boxes, piece by piece, in response to … Read more
Botswana Diamonds PLC announced that it has concluded the processing of two bulk samples taken from the Marsfontein diamond development project in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The samples comprised 58-tons of fresh high-interest kimberlite and 62-tons of kimberlitic material from one of the residual stockpiles, known as ‘Dump E’. Highlights: 87 macro diamonds were recovered from the fresh … Read more
Swiss watch exports plunged in April as coronavirus lockdowns brought the entire supply chain to a near halt. “Swiss watch exports were extremely low in April as a direct result of the standstill in production, distribution and sales, causing them to collapse,” the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry reported Tuesday. Shipments slid 81% to … Read more
Canada’s Dominion Diamond Mines has unveiled a transaction that would allow it to exit court protection from creditors and access short-term operating funds, which would pave the way to eventually restart its idled Ekati mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The company, which owns and operates the iconic Ekati diamond mine and also has a 40% interest in … Read more
A new study by University of Alberta scientists could help guide the search for rare, high-value yellow diamonds in the Canadian North. The researchers, led by PhD student Mei Yan Lai, examined the chemical makeup of stones recovered from the Chidliak and Ekati mines in Northern Canada to get a better understanding of how they formed. … Read more
Amid economic uncertainty, the super-rich are looking to ultra-rare precious gemstones as a ‘safe’ store for their wealth Fine jewellery sales are seeming to weather the coronavirus crisis, thanks to lockdown proposals and demand for precious pieces to mark birthdays and anniversaries. Some jewellers report that people are spending more on gifts than usual, in lieu of ‘proper’ … Read more
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has reopened laboratories in five locations following COVID-19 shutdowns. The organization’s labs in Johannesburg and Tokyo recommenced limited operations on May 7, the GIA said Monday. Visitors to the Johannesburg lab must make an appointment, have a permit, and wear a mask. The Tokyo location will accept and return … Read more
The price of super-rare pink diamonds is to set to rocket with the forthcoming closure of the Argyle mine in Western Australia, which has been responsible for 90 per cent of world supplies. Owners Rio Tinto plan to cease production by the end of 2020, when economically-viable reserves will run out.The value of pink diamonds … Read more
Omega’s cult-status Speedmaster is one of the world’s most famous sports watches, along with the iconic Rolex Daytona and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Every once in awhile, Omega invites women to enjoy the iconic Speedy with a 38 mm size, and now, for the first time, there is a full gold version of the 38, … Read more
Ernie Blom has won the first stage of a legal battle against the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), from which he stepped down as president last month. A court has threatened the WFDB with a $27m fine if it complies with a request to suspend him as a bourse member.Mr Blom challenged the right … Read more