VIDEOS

On this episode of Pressing Matters with Avi Krawitz, Avi speaks with Pritesh Patel, CEO of the Gemological Institute of America, about how science and technology are shaping the future of the diamond and jewelry industry. They discuss AI in diamond grading, GIA’s approach to lab-grown diamond grading, disclosures about diamond fluorescence and the role of technology in building consumer confidence. Other topics include shifts in the jewelry market, GIA’s investment in Tracr and the evolution of traceability, grading service fees, and the expansion of GIA’s gemology and jewelry education programs. Patel also shares his vision for a future-ready GIA as the Institute approaches its centennial in 2031. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:33 GIA’s science, research and technology 04:50 Technology’s impact across the diamond industry 06:21 Technology and innovation in GIA’s grading process 08:42 AI, human graders and diamond grading 11:03 The expertise behind GIA’s grading work 13:23 AI, the jewelry industry and changing diamond demand 15:50 Global jewelry demand and shifting product mix 18:13 GIA’s expanding role in jewelry grading 22:57 Jewelry sales, grading intake and market trends 27:33 GIA’s grading fees and pricing approach 29:58 GIA’s new grading system for lab-grown diamonds 37:09 Industry adoption of GIA’s lab-grown grading system 41:53 GIA’s updated approach to diamond fluorescence 46:29 GIA’s investment in Tracr and diamond traceability 50:58 Connecting Tracr with GIA grading reports 53:18 GIA education programs and student demand 58:01 Gem Kids and building interest in gems 1:00:20 GIA’s vision for its 2031 centennial Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/ • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/

In this episode of The Diamond Dudes, Avi Krawitz, Rob Bates and Edahn Golan discuss the prospective sale of De Beers, the uncertain future of diamond mining in South Africa, and the shifting power dynamic in the rough market. They examine why finished diamond jewelry and higher price points are showing resilience while loose diamonds remain under pressure, assess The Diamond Collective’s new marketing direction, and consider whether rising lab-grown diamond prices signal a more structured and vertically integrated synthetic market. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Industry Experts and Topics 02:05 Possible Acquisition of De Beers by a Broad Consortium 04:00 Industry Dynamics and Long-term Industry Outlook 06:56 Botswana Events and Market Sentiments 08:54 Market Performance of Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds 12:06 Jewelry Sales Trends and Consumer Behavior 15:02 Luxury Jewelry and Emotional Value 17:53 Rebranding of the Natural Diamond Industry 22:07 Unit Sales and Market Segments 25:52 Industry Marketing and Strategic Branding 32:02 Mining Operations and South Africa's Future 36:01 Impact of Industry Changes on Mining Companies 42:14 Closure of South African Mines and Industry Disruption 44:46 Market Power Shift and Industry Resilience 49:57 Supply Chain Dynamics and Market Control 55:09 Lab-Grown Diamond Pricing and Market Trends 01:00:06 Industry Outlook and Future Strategies 01:01:56 Closing Remarks and Industry Outlook Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

Geopolitics is having a growing impact on the diamond trade, from US tariffs and sanctions on Russia-origin goods to tighter rules governing traceability and sustainability claims. Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, joins Avi to examine how Antwerp is navigating this changing environment, the role trading centers can play in influencing policy, and what the new regulatory reality means for the wider diamond market. Suggested Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Antwerp's Industry Challenges 01:19 Karen Rentmeesters' Role and Industry Outlook 02:17 Market Sentiment and Price Trends in 2026 03:10 Impact of Mine Closures and Supply Restraint 04:32 Industry Mood and Strategic Thinking 05:57 Supply Dynamics and Rough Market Trends 07:19 Ecosystem and Supply Chain Resilience 08:41 Changing Role of Antwerp in Global Trade 11:07 Structural Shifts in Supply and Demand 13:02 Marketing, Demand, and Industry Innovation 14:56 Antwerp's Leadership and Future Positioning 18:16 Information, Flexibility, and Industry Support 22:59 European Regulation and Traceability 27:34 Tariffs, Trade Agreements, and Market Access 36:42 Impact of EU Legislation on Industry Practices 45:38 Consumer Protection and Green Claims 54:12 Regulatory Environment and Industry Adaptation 01:00:24 Conclusion and Future Outlook Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/ • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/

China’s jewelry market is improving, led by stronger gold sales in Hong Kong and Macau. Diamond jewelry demand remains selective, however, with limited evidence of broader retail replenishment. I examine the latest results from Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang and Luk Fook, alongside the Beijing Declaration between the Shanghai Diamond Exchange and Southern African diamond producers, and what both could mean for diamond demand in greater China. Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

CIBJO’s decision to adopt “synthetic” as the sole descriptor for created diamonds and gemstones with the same properties as their natural counterparts was met with controversy and debate. I examine why the ruling matters, the history of “lab-grown” and “synthetic” terminology, what the FTC Jewelry Guides actually say, and why nomenclature has real consequences for consumer clarity and the natural diamond market. I also consider what may come next as the FTC prepares to revise its Jewelry Guides, and why CIBJO’s move could shape the global conversation. Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

Live from the CIBJO Congress in Vicenza, The Diamond Dudes, Avi Krawitz, Rob Bates and Edahn Golan, were joined by industry leaders to discuss the natural diamond market’s tentative stabilization, the divide between stronger high-end demand and weakness at lower price points, and the need for a more demand-led recovery. The conversation also explored CIBJO’s synthetic-diamond nomenclature debate, the importance of clearer consumer communication, and how the industry can build desire through cultural relevance, digital engagement and a more compelling luxury retail experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:15 Supply Reduction and Market Stability 05:41 Demand Segmentation and Price Dynamics 07:01 Defining a Full Market Recovery 08:25 Signs of Optimism and Market Signs 09:18 Consumer Sentiment and Holiday Season Outlook 11:08 Retail Experience and Consumer Expectations 13:02 High-Value Goods and Market Segmentation 14:49 Synthetic vs Natural Diamonds: Industry Debate 16:42 Terminology and Marketing of Synthetic Diamonds 18:29 Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Diamond Terminology 21:23 Industry Standards and Ethical Considerations 24:56 Social Responsibility and Human Rights in Mining 27:29 Market Supply, Demand, and Industry Challenges 30:52 Industry Collaboration and Demand Generation 35:35 Marketing Strategies and Consumer Engagement 40:23 Consumer Connection and Emotional Value of Diamonds 44:52 Retail Experience and Customer Expectations 49:33 Inventory, Rarity, and Market Segmentation 52:33 Driving Consumer Demand and Industry Action 55:03 Marketing and Consumer Messaging 01:00:43 Generational Consumer Preferences and Trends 01:02:29 Standardization and Certification in Diamonds 01:04:58 Industry Marketing and Consumer Outreach 01:07:45 Connecting Diamonds to Cultural and Emotional Values 01:09:06 Closing Remarks and Industry Celebrations Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/ • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/

I spoke with artist Reena Ahluwalia at Vicenzaoro about Diamond Trails, a powerful project that pairs short stories by Sonia Esther Soltani, Grant Mobley, Shanoo and me with Reena’s original artworks. It was a thrill to see my own story brought to life and displayed at the CIBJO Congress, and in this short conversation we discuss why the industry needs more human, creative stories about diamonds and the lives they touch. Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

After India implemented a tax exemption on rough diamond trading, what should policymakers do next to expand the country's diamond services? Full analysis on my YouTube channel (Link in bio) Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/