Pink Diamond – Page 3

De Beers Launches “Desert Diamonds” – A Bold Campaign Celebrating the Uniqueness of Natural Diamonds

De Beers has unveiled its largest natural diamond campaign in over a decade, reaffirming the beauty, rarity, and authenticity of natural diamonds in an era where lab-grown stones are increasingly prevalent.

The new campaign, titled “Unlike Anything,” introduces Desert Diamonds — a collection inspired by the natural hues of the desert, showcasing warm, earthy tones that celebrate individuality and the timeless connection between nature and human emotion.

As mass-produced, lower-cost lab-grown diamonds continue to gain market share, De Beers’ message is clear: natural diamonds remain unmatched — each one a product of geological wonder, billions of years in the making, and entirely unique.

According to De Beers, research found that 90% of consumers expressed interest in purchasing a Desert Diamond as a distinctive expression of style and a symbol of connection with nature. The campaign positions these desert-inspired shades as markers of authenticity, highlighting how the nuances in colour reflect the natural beauty and individuality of each stone.

“With Desert Diamonds, the ancient sands of time meet today’s zeitgeist for authentic beauty,” said Sandrine Conseiller, CEO of De Beers Brands. “Natural diamonds are unique and rare – no two are the same. Their colours have been forged by nature and perfected over billions of years.”

The growing appreciation for warmer diamond tones has also been influenced by high-profile figures such as Taylor Swift, whose engagement ring features a vintage old mine-cut diamond with a soft “candlelight glow,” as well as Kim Kardashian and Doja Cat, both of whom have embraced the desert-diamond aesthetic.

Industry analysts note that De Beers’ strategy goes beyond aesthetics. Chandler Mount, founder of Affluent Consumer Research Company, commented:

“Desert Diamonds mark a shift from diamonds as objects to diamonds as identity. De Beers isn’t just selling colour — they’re selling character. This is white space strategy executed with emotional intelligence.”

For the DCLA (Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia), which upholds the highest standards in natural diamond grading and certification, De Beers’ campaign reinforces a vital message: authentic natural diamonds remain irreplaceable — not only for their enduring beauty, but for the story each stone carries within it.

Antwerp Negotiates Zero US Tariff for Polished Diamonds

The US has agreed to ditch its 15 per cent tariff on imports of diamonds polished in Antwerp and elsewhere in the EU.

They will be zero-rated, following intensive lobbying from the AWDC (Antwerp World Diamond Centre).

The exemption, made in a US executive order, means Antwerp’s 350 or so diamond polishers are now subject to zero tariffs on US imports, while the thousands of polishing units in India are currently subject to a 50 per cent tariff.

The 15 per cent tariff was introduced on 1 September as part of a global move announced by US President Donald Trump. The new diamond exemption is effective retroactively from that date.

AWDC described it as a “tremendous boost for the Antwerp diamond industry,” one which could pave the way for other diamond countries to negotiate lower tariffs with the US.

CEO Karen Rentmeesters (pictured) said: “The agreement is of vital importance and strengthens our competitiveness as both a trading and polishing hub. For goods of European origin – polished in Antwerp – which account for half of all polished diamond exports to the U.S., the 15 per cent tariff will no longer apply.

“By setting this precedent, we have opened the door for other diamond-producing and polishing countries to negotiate similar arrangements in the near future.”

Diamonds polished in an EU country are now included on the list of exemptions summarized in so-called ‘Annex II,’ which outlines products that can be exempted once a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. is reached.

Source: IDEX

Diamonds as Time Capsules: Rare Inclusions Reveal Hidden Chemistry Deep Within Earth’s Mantle

Two extraordinary diamonds from South Africa have provided scientists with a rare glimpse into the hidden chemistry of Earth’s mantle—nearly 300 kilometres beneath the surface.

A research team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has identified the first direct evidence of nickel-iron metallic alloys and nickel-rich carbonates at these extreme depths. The discovery was made by examining tiny inclusions preserved inside diamonds from the Voorspoed mine in South Africa.

Diamonds as Nature’s Record Keepers

While diamonds are prized for their beauty, their true scientific value often lies in what they conceal. Inclusions—whether microscopic minerals or metallic alloys—serve as natural records of deep-Earth processes that would otherwise remain invisible.

“These diamonds act as tiny time capsules, preserving a rare chemical reaction that would otherwise disappear,” explained lead researcher Yaakov Weiss.

The inclusions confirm the diamonds’ origins in the deep upper mantle and shallow transition zone, at depths of 280–470 kilometres.

Unlocking Diamond Formation

The study revealed an unusual coexistence of nickel-iron alloy and nickel-rich carbonate within the same inclusions. Normally, these materials would react instantly and could not exist side by side. Their preservation points to a process known as a metasomatic redox-freezing reaction, in which oxidised, carbon-rich melts infiltrate metal-bearing mantle rock.

This finding strengthens the theory that diamonds can form from reactions between carbonates and reduced metals in the mantle—a mechanism first suggested by evidence at shallower depths.

It may also explain why some natural diamonds contain nickel atoms within their crystal structure, solving a mystery that has long puzzled geologists.

Insights into Volcanoes and Kimberlites

The implications extend beyond diamond formation. The reactions preserved within these inclusions suggest that the mantle becomes enriched with elements like carbon and potassium. This enrichment may be a critical step in generating kimberlite magmas—the volcanic eruptions that transport diamonds to the surface.

A Scientific Treasure

For the DCLA, this discovery highlights yet another dimension of diamond’s significance. Beyond their role as treasured gems, diamonds are windows into Earth’s inaccessible depths, preserving geological secrets for millions of years.

As Yaakov Weiss put it:
“Diamonds act as tiny time capsules, capturing a moment of mantle chemistry in action.”

Diamond selling processes are outdated and hurting producers, trader says

The sale of diamonds through tenders and auctions is opaque and inefficient and should be revamped for producers to earn more and to survive the current price slump, a leading gem trader said on Thursday.

Oded Mansori, co-founder and managing partner of Belgian gem trader HB Antwerp, said the impact on producers could be reduced by doing away with inefficiencies in the industry.

The diamond market is currently going through a prolonged downturn with demand hurt by global economic uncertainty and the rising popularity of lab-grown stones.

Producer countries such as Botswana have been hard hit by lower revenues, while miners such Burgundy and Lesotho’s biggest diamond mine Letseng have had to lay off workers.

“For years, miners relied on tenders and auctions, systems that look efficient on paper but in practice resemble a casino,” Mansori said in a statement, as the industry battles a crisis considered to be its deepest in history.

“Rough stones are pushed into opaque markets where value is anyone’s guess. When global demand softens, as it has in cycles over the last decade, producers are left exposed. Workers pay the price, while shareholders watch assets decline,” he added.

Rough diamonds are typically sold through a competitive bidding system where buyers place confidential bids on individual stones or parcels.

Mansori, whose company operates a profit-sharing model with miner Lucara Diamond Corp, says producers’ revenues should be tied to the eventual polished value of its stones “rather than gambling on rough sales in opaque auctions”.

Under its partnership with Lucara, HB Antwerp buys stones of 10.8 carat quality and above from the Toronto-listed company’s Karowe Mine in central Botswana at prices based on the estimated polished value of each diamond.

HB Antwerp accounted for 72% of Lucara’s $74-million diamond revenue in the six months to June 30, up from 65% the year before.

The trader says producers can earn up to 40% more revenue if they sell through this model.

Source: Miningweekly

After 15 Years, Disputed Diamonds Finally being Sold

Rough diamonds that were locked in a 15-year legal dispute in Zimbabwe are finally being sold.

The UK miner Vast Resources is offering parcels totaling 135,000 carats at a series of public and private tenders from now until the end of October.

Vast surrendered the gems in 2010 amid allegations it had exploited diamonds on mining claims previously owned by De Beers, which withdrew from Marange in 2006, saying it had failed to find viable reserves.

Vast Resources (then known as African Consolidated Resources) subsequently discovered massive alluvial diamond deposits there, which prompted the Zimbabwe government to revoke its mining licenses within months, and evict it.

The diamonds, held at Zimbabwe’s central bank since 2009, were finally handed back to Vast in April of this year.

They have undergone an extensive cleaning process in Dubai to remove multiple layers of metallic silicates and mineral coatings. As a result, around 6,000 carats initially classified only as industrial diamonds have been upgraded to gem quality.

In an update (on 15 September) Vast spoke of “a unique opportunity to most effectively realize value from the long-awaited parcels from the historic settlement and could open further opportunities for the company in the future”.

Source: IDEX

Lab Growns – without the High Pressure or Temperature

Researchers at the University of Tokyo say they’ve found a way to make tiny diamonds without the need for high temperature or high pressure conditions – unlike current lab grown technology.

They use electron beams to break and remake bonds in adamantane (C10H16), a carbon molecule in which atoms are arranged in a pattern very similar to the atomic structure of diamond.

The process takes tens of seconds under transmission electron microscopy conditions in a vacuum (low-pressure chamber)

A team led by Professor Eiichi Nakamura, of the Department of Chemistry, has published its findings in the journal Science, in an article entitled Rapid, low-temperature nanodiamond formation by electron-beam activation of adamantane C-H bonds.

It explains how the controlled electron irradiation of adamantane produces defect-free nanodiamonds.

The breakthrough process is aimed at creating tiny diamonds for high-tech industries, scientific research, and medical fields, rather than larger gem-quality stones.

It works through gradual assembly of diamond lattice from adamantane molecules under prolonged electron irradiation, which naturally limits the size to nanodiamonds currently.

Larger diamond growth would require controlling fusion of these nanocrystals and sustained lattice perfection over much longer times and at a larger scale.

Gem quality lab growns are created either using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), which uses high temperatures and low pressure.

Source: IDEX

US Tariffs: Patek Philippe “to Hike Prices by 15%”

Patek Philippe will reportedly hike watch prices by 15 per cent tomorrow (Monday 15 September) in response to US reciprocal tariffs.

If confirmed, it will be Patek Philippe’s third price rise in the US this year, according to the WatchPro website.

Prices were increased in January because of soaring gold prices and the strength of the Swiss franc, and in April as a response to the US announcement of across-the-board tariffs.

Authorized dealers will also have their margins cut. Patek Philippe will be the first Swiss watchmaker to raise prices since the US introduced 39 per cent tariffs on 7 August.

Watchmakers rushed to export their goods ahead of the tariff deadline, resulting in a 6.9 per cent increase during July.

But price increases in the near future are almost inevitable as the reciprocal tariffs bite and stocks need replenishing.

One of the lowest-priced Patek Philippes, the $26,000 stainless steel Patek Philippe Aquanaut Ref. 5167A-001 (pictured) will cost $30,000 if the price increases take place.

Source: IDEX

Indian Diamond Smuggler Jailed in Vietnam

An Indian national has been jailed for seven years in Vietnam after he admitted smuggling diamonds worth $320,000 into the country.

Dapale Alkesh Kashinath, 28, said he’d been paid INR 10,000 ($120) by his employer, a Mumbai-based diamond company, to take the stones into the country without declaring them at customs.

Vietnam charges import duties of up to 27 per cent on polished diamonds and jewelry. VAT and other taxes may also apply.

It was Kashinath’s sixth or seventh smuggling trip. He would meet buyers at hotels and hand over the goods once they’d supplied coded and symbols agreed in advance with his employer.

He was apprehended at Tan Son Nhat International (pictured), Vietnam’s largest airport, in Ho Chi Minh City in October 2024.

X-rays of luggage revealed he had 15 plastic bags, containing 362 natural diamonds, hidden inside two candy boxes.

Kashinath was sentenced to seven years in prison last Friday (5 September) at Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court. An application to pay a fine instead was rejected.

Source: IDEX

Signet Sales Increase, Driven by Lab Growns

Signet reported increased sales for Q2, as consumers increasingly opted for lab growns over natural diamonds.

It said 14 per cent of all the fashion jewelry items it sold during the quarter were lab grown – twice as many as the same period last year, and higher than Signet’s own expectations.

Total sales for the 13 weeks to 2 August were $1.5bn, up 3.0 per cent, and same store sales increased by 2.0 per cent, Signet said in its Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results.

Kay, Zales, and Jared the retailer’s three largest brands together delivered a combined 5 per cent same-store sales growth.

Adjusted operating profit for the quarter rose over 20 per cent reaching $85m, with a 24 per cent year-over-year gain.

Lab growns are viewed as a “category extender for fashion” and demand is most prominent in lower-priced products and fashion jewelry.

“Our second quarter results were driven by the expansion of on-trend fashion assortment and effective promotion and pricing strategies,” said J.K. Symancyk, Signet’s CEO.

Joan Hilson, chief operating and financial officer, said: “Reflecting second quarter results, expectations for the third quarter, and current tariff landscape, we’re raising our Fiscal 2026 guidance.

“This updated guidance also includes share repurchases to date and assumes a measured consumer environment.”

Source: IDEX

Small Rise in US Watch and Jewelry Sales

The modest increase largely reflects a rush by exporters to get their goods into the US before the tariff deadlines and retailers stockpiling for the same reason.

It offsets low consumer demand, which is being compounded by ongoing anxiety over US reciprocal tariffs which are expected to force up prices.

Average monthly growth in watch and jewelry sales so far, for the first seven months of this year, has been around 0.6 per cent, compared to over 5 per cent last year.

Sales in June were down 0.9 per cent, a figure that has been revised up from the original -1.7 per cent, based on actual transactions rather than estimates.

Exports of Swiss watches were up 6.9 per cent, largely driven by manufacturers front-loading their shipments to avoid 39 per cent US tariffs.

Source: IDEX