Population denounces illegal extraction of diamonds in Angola

Angolan diamonds

Luanda, Mar 4 (Prensa Latina) Popular claims in southern Angola warned of the illegal extraction of diamonds and other natural resources in localities of Cuando Cubango, local press reported on Wednesday.According to the Jornal de Angola daily, the warnings came from the municipality of Mavinga, where the population observed a group of foreigners in clandestine … Read more

Ellendale revival on the horizon with increased diamond value

Ellendale diamonds

Gibb River Diamonds has completed a review of the mothballed Ellendale diamond mine in Western Australia that will help it edge closer to a proposed restart. The independent appraisal, which was completed by which was completed by Independent Diamond Valuers International (IDVI) valued gems from the Ellendale 9 East Lobe at $US750 ($1120) per carat. This … Read more

Alrosa steps up efforts to brighten fluorescent diamond sales

fluorescent diamond strong blue

Russia’s Alrosa the world’s top diamond miner by volume, is betting on a new strategy to boost its sales amid an industry-wide slowdown that has hit small companies the hardest. The state-owned company is now selling naturally occurring fluorescent diamonds mixed with others. At the same time, it’s holding talks with global jewellery retailers about jointly marketing … Read more

De Beers Reveals Overhaul of Sight System

Measuring a rough diamond

De Beers plans to split sightholders into three categories and offer each group a more bespoke selection of rough diamonds as part of changes to its sales system. Manufacturers, dealers and retailers will sign specific supply contracts designed for the “broad needs” of each business model, a De Beers spokesperson told Rapaport News Thursday. The arrangement will … Read more

De Beers Lets Sightholders Defer Chinese Goods

A De Beers sightholder examining rough

De Beers has allowed clients to forgo buying certain rough diamonds at this week’s sight, as the coronavirus outbreak has raised concerns about a polished glut. The miner has let sightholders defer purchases of goods that produce the types of polished popular in the Chinese retail market, a source at the sight told Rapaport News Wednesday. The … Read more

Angola Seizes 6,579 carats of Illegal Rough Diamonds

Angolan rough diamond

Authorities in Angola have seized 6,579 carats of rough diamonds in a crackdown on illegal mining and immigration. Nineteen cars and $275,000 in cash were also confiscated, according to the government-run Angop news agency. Operation Transparency was aimed at more than 700 small diamond prospectors in the country. Two thirds were found not to meet … Read more

Virus Likely to Impact Demand at De Beers Sight

Rough diamonds De Beers

De Beers and its clients expect a slowdown in rough-diamond sales at the company’s Botswana sight this week amid concerns about the coronavirus. “It’s fair to say there will be an impact on rough demand in the short term,” De Beers chief financial officer Nimesh Patel said Thursday in an interview with Rapaport News. “I’d expect … Read more

A laser code could protect your diamond ring and save you thousands

Certified Diamond Insurance (CDI)

Replacing a diamond ring can be an expensive prospect, but that’s the reality for the majority of Australians who don’t insure their heirlooms. Diamond engagement rings are a big deal for many Australians, but very few are protected from would-be thieves. Insuring diamond rings is expensive, which is why 44 per cent of Australians’ diamond … Read more

Alrosa finds first large coloured diamond at new Yakutia mine

17.44 carat diamond found at the Verkhne-Munskoye deposit

Russia’s Alrosa, the world’s top diamond miner by output, has found a 17.4-carat bright yellow gem-quality precious rock at its new Verkhne-Munskoye deposit in Yakutia, which started operations in 2018. The diamond, recovered in mid-February from the Zapolyarnaya kimberlite pipe, is the first large coloured stone found at the site, the company said. Alrosa, which did not disclose … Read more

De Beers Optimistic After 2019 Earnings Slump

Rough and polished diamonds next to each other at De Beers

De Beers gave a positive outlook for 2020 due to an improvement in the industry’s inventory situation, despite growing concerns about Chinese demand. Early data from the holiday season indicate midstream stock levels are more balanced than they were, the company reported Thursday in parent company Anglo American’s annual financial results. The miner maintained its … Read more