DIAMOND GEMS WEEKLY

In this discussion, Avi Krawitz and diamond analyst Paul Zimniski delve into the future of De Beers and the diamond industry as a whole.   They discuss the implications of Anglo-American's divestment from De Beers, the challenges posed by lab-grown diamonds, and the need for a rebranding of the natural diamond market. The conversation also touches on the importance of inventory in retail and the evolving consumer preferences in the diamond sector.   Diamond Debates is support

Every so often, I’m tempted to turn this memo into a gossip column. If I ever did, it might open with something like, OMG! I’ve got so much to tell you!   Perhaps I’ve found a quieter way to indulge that instinct, because the truth is it’s been a very good week for the diamond industry.   The headlines were dominated by the US–India trade deal, which will remove tariffs on diamond imports into the world’s largest jewelry market from the largest source of polished supply. The

The contrast between the performance of the retail jewelry sector and diamond mining revealed in the recent round of earnings is striking.   At retail, Watches of Switzerland said its Roberto Coin business delivered an excellent US holiday season. Swatch Group noted that Harry Winston had a record month in December, while Birks Group reported comparable-store sales grew 2.5% over the November–December period.   The momentum carried into January. The Edge Retail Academy estima

The diamond industry breathed a collective sigh of relief after the US and India reached a trade deal that will eliminate import duties on India-sourced diamonds and gemstones.   By way of recap, in September President Trump imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff, followed by an additional 25% penalty on all Indian imports, aimed at pressuring India to halt purchases of Russian oil. The impact was immediate and severe. India’s diamond trade was put at a massive disadvantage, with go

Avi is joined by Wesley Tucker, CEO of Tracr, to argue the need for the diamond industry to adapt to the changing market environment. The discussion highlights the importance of value amid evolving supply and demand dynamics, and the impact of lab-grown diamonds. In trying to understand the meaning of value, they explore the role of design, personalization, and marketing strategies in attracting new consumers and enhancing the overall diamond experience. The conversation high

Transcript of the video above: Botswana’s diamond industry is at crossroad and not for the first time. 2026 is another pivotal year for Botswana diamonds, and therefore the country as a whole.   The finance ministry published its annual budget strategy paper in January revealing some crucial information we didn’t know about previously, namely the level of diamond inventory circulating in Botswana.   The treasury said that Botswana’s diamond inventory stood at 12 million cara

February is a slightly strange month. It’s a day or two shorter than the rest, which gives it a sense of ease, as though it passes a little more seamlessly.   That said, it’s an important month for the diamond industry. By now, we have a clearer view of how the holiday season played out, and jewelers have a better handle on their inventory requirements. Valentine’s Day also looms on the 14th, with the National Retail Federation (NRF) expecting record spending , including arou

The recent trade deal between the EU and India laid bare the differing approaches to the diamond trade taken by two of the industry’s largest centers. Once again, Antwerp leveraged its position to secure favorable terms in the negotiations.   Under the agreement, India reduced its tariff on imports of natural polished diamonds from the European Union to 2.5%, down from 5.5%.   “This tariff reduction is the result of intensive lobbying efforts by the Antwerp World Diamond Cent

India  has reduced its import duty on natural polished diamonds from the  European Union  to 2.5% from 5.5% under a new trade deal. The reduction follows lobbying by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) in coordination with the European Commission,  the AWDC said .   Operations at the Jwaneng mine in Botswana. (Credit: Anglo American) Botswana’s diamond inventory stood at 12 million carats in December, nearly double the government’s 6.5 million-carat target, according to a

Watching events unfold at the World Economic Forum in Davos, one major theme has already emerged in 2026: the era of globalization is over.   That presents another challenge for the diamond industry, although it’s not necessarily a new one. The trade benefited greatly from globalization in the 2010s, as the expansion of China’s jewelry market was driven by the belief that the country could transition toward a US-style, consumer-led economy. That dynamic meant more diamonds we

The future of natural diamonds depends less on supply, pricing, or policy, and more on how consumers perceive, experience, and emotionally connect with the product, a panel discussion hosted by CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation concluded at the VicenzaOro show.   Panelists challenged the industry to rethink how it defines value, and whether its messaging still resonates with the public it is trying to reach.   “What are the five bullet points we could craft as a consi

What gives a diamond its value? Is there something intrinsic in the physical product itself, or does value mostly come from how the industry positions it?   I put that question to a group of industry professionals during a panel discussion on The Way Forward for Natural Diamonds at the VicenzaOro show on Sunday. As moderator, my aim was to use the idea of value as a way into a broader conversation about how we engage today’s consumer.   The answers leaned heavily on emotional

In this engaging debate, Avi is joined by David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, to examine where the diamond industry stands and where it is headed. They unpack the contraction of the natural diamond market, the rise of lab-grown alternatives, and the growing responsibility of retailers to actively stimulate demand.   The discussion moves through manufacturing realities, the shift from volume to value, and the industry’s renewed emphasis on profitability over scale. The co

Did you watch the Golden Globes last night? Well, neither did I. What I did get was a press release from “A Diamond Is Forever” about the natural diamond jewelry highlights on the red carpet.   I know, right. Who or what is A Diamond Is Forever to be sending me press releases? Isn’t that a slogan, the line that capped off some of De Beers’ most nostalgic marketing campaigns?   You may or may not have noticed the subtle introduction of the A Diamond Is Forever   Instagram acco

The year ahead could prove to be consequential for the diamond industry. In this episode of Diamond Debates, Avi Krawitz is joined by Rob Bates, news editor of JCK Online and author, to examine the market scenarios taking shape. They assess how major players such as De Beers and Alrosa may influence direction, the evolving impact of lab-grown diamonds, mounting retail challenges, shifting marketing strategies, while also weighing consumer behavior and investment dynamics. The

In any business, it’s important to recognize milestones, not necessarily as a reason to celebrate one’s accomplishments, but to take stock and reset the benchmarks from which to build.   This week marks one year since I launched The Diamond Press. The objective today is the same as it was then: to build a community around clear, insightful analysis of the diamond industry.   Looking back, the first year comes with mixed feelings. The community has grown steadily. Traffic to T

The diamond market enters 2026 in a state of flux after three punishing years from 2023 to 2025, with sustained pressure across mining, manufacturing, and retail.   It does not take a futurist to see that many of the forces behind the downturn remain firmly in place. The question now is how those dynamics evolve as the industry searches for greater stability.   To open the year, The Diamond Press  sets out 10 developments and themes that are set to define the diamond trade in

Solitaire International: A growing debate over terminology is reshaping how the trade defines and differentiates synthetics from natural diamonds.   Heated exchanges at the CIBJO Congress in Paris, along with France’s reaffirmation of the term “synthetic,” have brought language back to the center of the discussion after years in which the word became largely taboo.   That shift, reinforced by the Gemological Institute of America’s move away from the 4Cs in its color and clari

Holiday Sales ​ US jewelry sales rose 1.6% over the holiday season from November 1 to December 21,  according to   Mastercard . Overall retail sales increased 3.9% during the period, driven by what the company described as savvy shoppers seeking value. E-commerce jumped 7.4% while in-store sales grew 2.9%, with apparel the strongest-performing category.   Online spending during Cyber Week – the 5-day period from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday – rose 7.7% year on year to $44.2 b

2025 was a pivotal year for the diamond industry. Here are five reasons why it was such a game changer.   1.       De Beers   Number one was De Beers. The company dominated headlines and shaped the industry narrative as it tends to do. And its impact was felt immediately as the year began with the long awaited signing of the sales agreement between De Beers and the Government of Botswana, five years overdue, mind you.   That deal sees more of local Debswana production to be s