Avi Krawitz

An interesting idea was floated at the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) Congress, which marked the organization’s centenary. In his keynote address, Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group, urged the industry to focus its marketing on “selling expensive diamonds to rich people who want to spend money.” He has made that call before. Some may interpret it as a suggestion that the industry should ignore the rest of the market, including the middle-income segment, which has...

India’s Rough Trade Push ​ India passed legislation providing a 15-year income tax exemption for eligible foreign mining companies, sightholders, brokers, aggregators and tender or auction operators selling rough diamonds through the country’s Special Notified Zones (SNZs). The exemption applies from October 1, 2026 through March 31, 2041. India is seeking to establish itself as a global rough trading hub. As the new legislation was passed, a Namibian government delegation visited Mumbai to...

Solitaire International: The diamond and jewelry industry is facing two policy battles in Washington that could shape the market for years to come: restoring zero tariffs on imports to the US and establishing clearer terminology for laboratory-grown diamonds. Tariff exemptions have returned for natural diamonds from Europe and for several diamond-producing countries, but India, Canada, China, Israel, the UAE and other key trading partners remain subject to duties. The outcome will depend...