Author: Ruchi Singla

Fully traceable artisanal diamonds from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been sold on the international market in Antwerp for the first time through the OrigemA initiative, a project involving the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (Antwerp World Diamond Centre), the Congolese government, NGO Resolve and technology partner Everledger, with financial support from the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. A total of 103.77 carats of rough diamonds from the Kasaï region were offered during an initial sales round in Antwerp. The stones originated from the Kamana Ndeke mine near Tshikapa and were mined by the COMIDIANZ cooperative. The sale…

The sale of De Beers by parent company Anglo American could be finalised within weeks, according to chief executive Al Cook, following a process that has been ongoing since 2024. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Europe conference in London, Cook said negotiations had progressed and that interested parties were working towards concluding a transaction for Anglo American’s 85% stake in the diamond miner. “It’s been a two-year period. There’s been a lot of negotiations. They’re now maturing. We’ve never been closer than we are to a sale,” said Cook. “I’m hopeful that it’ll happen in weeks rather than months going…

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has confirmed plans to introduce cut grading for selected fancy-shaped diamonds in 2027, beginning with oval, pear and marquise cuts. Alongside this, the lab will expand its reporting framework for fluorescence, with new comments to be introduced for eligible natural D to Z colour diamonds from the fourth quarter of 2026. The updates extend GIA’s diamond grading system beyond its current focus on round brilliant stones. Expansion of Cut Grading to Fancy Shapes At present, GIA assigns an overall cut grade only to round brilliant diamonds, while fancy-shaped diamonds receive assessments limited to polish…

Natural diamond jewellery was identified as the most desired luxury jewellery category among US consumers in new research published by De Beers Group, while non-bridal purchases accounted for the majority of demand. The company’s latest US Diamond Acquisition Study surveyed 18,500 women aged between 18 and 74 and forms part of its newly released Diamond Report, which examines consumer behaviour, retail trends and broader market dynamics in the US diamond sector. Natural Diamonds Remain Preferred Luxury Jewellery Purchase According to the study, 11% of respondents identified natural diamond jewellery as their most desired luxury gift, ahead of synthetic lab-grown diamond…

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has opened enrolment for its new London campus, with classes scheduled to begin in August 2026. The new GIA School of Gemology and Jewelry Arts campus will be located in Canary Wharf and will replace the institute’s existing London facility, which has operated since 2002. According to GIA, the move will increase teaching capacity and expand the range of programmes available to students in London. Expanded Educational Offering One of the key additions at the new site will be the introduction of the GIA Jewelry Design & Technology programme in London for the first…

Gemological Institute of America has agreed to acquire a 30% shareholding in Tracr, the diamond provenance platform developed by De Beers Group, in a move aimed at supporting the platform’s transition towards independent ownership and wider industry adoption. The agreement was announced by De Beers and GIA on 29 May. It follows a collaboration established in 2023, when eligible GIA diamond grading reports began incorporating provenance information recorded on the Tracr platform. Focus on Provenance and Traceability Tracr was launched by De Beers in 2018 as a blockchain-based platform designed to track diamonds from the point of recovery through the…

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) has announced that the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has become a member of the organisation, making it the first industry body to move towards NDC membership under the Luanda Accord framework. The development follows GJEPC’s signing of the Luanda Accord in June 2025 and a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the second Luanda Accord High-Level Meeting in Cape Town in February 2026. Industry Collaboration The move brings GJEPC into the NDC membership structure at a time when the natural diamond sector is increasing its focus on category marketing, consumer education and coordinated…

India exported more lab-grown diamonds than natural diamonds by volume during the year to March 2026, according to figures from the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The latest data shows exports of 18.84 million carats of lab-grown diamonds compared with 16.00 million carats of natural diamonds. The figures reflect the continued growth of the lab-grown diamond segment within the global diamond supply chain. Volume Growth Versus Value Although lab-grown diamonds now account for a larger share of export volume, natural diamonds continue to generate the majority of export value. GJEPC data cited for April 2026 shows lab-grown diamonds…

Archaeologists in Saudi Arabia have uncovered a hoard of gold jewellery, gemstones and other decorative objects dating back more than 1,100 years at the archaeological site of Dariyah in the Al-Qassim region. The discovery, made during the latest excavation season led by the Saudi Heritage Commission, includes nearly 100 pieces of jewellery believed to date to the Abbasid period. Dariyah was an important settlement on the historic route linking Basra in present-day Iraq with Mecca, serving travellers and pilgrims undertaking the Hajj during the early centuries of Islam. Jewellery Found Inside Buried Ceramic Vessel The collection, referred to by researchers…

The World Diamond Heritage Board (WDHB) has opened the public nomination phase for the World Diamond Heritage List (WDHL), an initiative that aims to identify 100 natural diamonds considered to have had significant historical and cultural impact. Nominations opened on 18 May and will close on 18 June 2026. Individuals can nominate up to five diamonds for inclusion. Focus on Cultural and Historical Significance According to the WDHB, the list is intended to recognise diamonds for their influence on human history, culture, spirituality and society rather than for gemmological characteristics or market value. To support the nomination process, a pre-nomination…

Pencil has released an AI jewellery CAD design agent designed to create jewellery designs through natural language prompts. The company said the platform can be used by internal design teams, in-store sales staff and customers through a brand’s website. CAD-Focused Design Output Pencil said its agent generates rendered, parametric CAD designs intended for printing and casting, rather than AI-generated images that still require CAD development. The platform can be adjusted to manufacturing specifications including prong diameters, bezel crown heights, minimum band widths and polishing allowances. Users can also request precise design changes, such as moving a stone by 1.25mm or…

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) will appoint Mehdi Saadian as its new chair at its annual general meeting on 11 June 2026, while the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) will also see a change in leadership with John Henn taking over as president. Both AGMs will be held at Warwick Castle and will include a number of board and committee changes across the two organisations. Saadian to Succeed Adam Jacobs Current NAJ chair Adam Jacobs will formally hand over the role to Saadian, who has served as vice chair since 2024. Saadian is director of the GIA London campus…

Pandora and the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) have publicly disagreed over the jeweller’s new carbon footprint disclosure initiative for lab-grown diamonds, with the NDC accusing the company of using misleading comparisons between lab-grown and natural stones. The dispute follows Pandora’s announcement that it will disclose the carbon emissions associated with every lab-grown diamond it sells, introducing what it describes as a “fifth C” alongside the traditional diamond grading criteria of cut, colour, clarity and carat. Pandora Introduces Carbon Footprint Disclosure Pandora said the new information will cover emissions generated throughout the production process, from the raw materials used to grow…

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled against lab-grown diamond retailers Novita Diamonds and Linjer after finding that advertisements failed to make clear that the diamonds being promoted were laboratory-grown rather than natural. The complaints were brought by the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) and the London Diamond Bourse (LDB), with the ASA concluding that both companies breached UK advertising rules. Advertisements Found to be Misleading The rulings relate to online advertisements published in January 2026. In Novita Diamonds’ case, the ASA assessed two paid-for Meta advertisements. One featured the text “Novita Diamonds ready-to-ship engagement rings 1-10 days”, while another…

De Beers recorded higher rough diamond sales in the first quarter of 2026, with parent company Anglo American reporting increased volumes and revenue following price reductions on smaller goods and changes in product mix. Sales Volumes Increase Sales volume rose 64% year on year to 7.7 million carats, including supply to joint venture partners. Consolidated sales, excluding that supply route, increased 53% to 6.4 million carats. Consolidated revenue rose 25% to $648 million. The results cover De Beers’ first two sights of 2026. Proceeds from the third sight, which began in March, will be included in second-quarter figures. Pricing Changes…

Alrosa has reappointed Pavel Marinychev as chief executive officer and chairman of its managing board for a further three-year term, confirming continuity in leadership at the Russian diamond mining company amid ongoing geopolitical and trade pressures. Leadership Background Marinychev has been with Alrosa since 2016 and was appointed CEO in 2023, having previously led its subsidiary Almazy Anabara. Before joining the company, he held a senior role within the regional government of Yakutia, where he oversaw geology and subsoil use, as well as industry, energy and construction. His reappointment maintains the current leadership structure during a period of disruption for…

Haute Jewels Geneva recorded a 20% increase in visitor attendance at its 2026 edition, held at the InterContinental Geneva. The event brought together 44 jewellery houses from 13 countries, with organisers citing growth in international participation with organisers reporting increased attendance from Latin America, alongside growth from Europe and North America. Event Format and Exhibitor Presence The 2026 edition featured 44 exhibitors, including Damiani, Pasquale Bruni, Furrer Jacot and Yoko London. The show was presented across five spaces within the InterContinental Geneva, including The Palace, The Grand Villas and The Grand Ballroom, maintaining a salon-style format. Founded in 2019 by…

The Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District has launched a film series focusing on individuals working across Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, with the first instalments now available online. Titled Where Individuality Shines, the series has been commissioned by the BID and produced by videographer Carl Woods. It presents short films featuring a range of contributors, including artisans, business owners and other professionals operating within the district. Focus on People Within the Trade The series centres on accounts of those working in the Quarter, documenting their roles, experiences and working practices. The films present individuals contributing to the area’s jewellery and related industries.…

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has released an updated guidance note on precious metal pricing and customer communication, to support businesses managing continued volatility in gold, silver and platinum markets. Titled Precious Metal Pricing and Managing Customer Expectations, it follows consultation with NAJ members and wider industry stakeholders and builds on a draft version circulated earlier this year, incorporating feedback from across the trade. Addressing Market Volatility Recent fluctuations in precious metal prices have created challenges across the jewellery supply chain. Retailers have faced difficulties in maintaining accurate pricing and managing stock values, while manufacturers and designer-makers have needed…

The Goldsmiths’ Centre will present Box of Dreams, a jewellery and silversmithing-led pop-up exhibition curated by artist jewellers Ella Fearon-Low and Jed Green, during London Craft Week.  The event will run from 14 to 15 May 2026 at the Centre’s Clerkenwell premises, bringing together UK-based makers working across jewellery, silversmithing and related disciplines. Focus on Containment and Material Exploration The exhibition centres on the idea of containment, examining how boxes and vessels can hold both physical and conceptual meaning. A curated display under the same title will present interpretations of containment through forms including boxes, vessels and wearable objects. Works…

Raw Pearls has taken over the operations of long-established supplier Samuel Jones Pearls, with the transition completed on 20 April following the retirement of owners Richard and Claire Maymon. The combined business will operate under the leadership of Miranda Raw, bringing together two established names in the UK pearl trade. Samuel Jones Pearls, founded in 1916, is recognised as the first importer of cultured pearls into the UK and has maintained longstanding relationships with the Japanese pearl sector. Raw Pearls operates as a specialist in freshwater pearls, supplying the UK jewellery trade with a broad product range. Structure and Brand…

India’s gem and jewellery exports reached ₹2,44,827.26 crore for the financial year April 2025 to March 2026, marking a 0.93% increase in rupee terms compared with the previous year. In US dollar terms, exports totalled US$27.72 billion, representing a decline of 3.32% year on year. The figures reflect a trading environment shaped by geopolitical developments, tariff changes and shifting consumer demand across key markets. Market Diversification and Regional Performance Export performance indicates a shift in market distribution, with growth recorded across several regions. The United Arab Emirates remained the largest export destination, with shipments rising 10.52% to US$8.70 billion. Hong…

The National Association of Jewellers’ Institute of Registered Valuers has confirmed the workshop and masterclass programme for its 2026 Valuers’ Conference, taking place on 16–17 May at Edgbaston Park Hotel in Birmingham. Supported by Bonhams, the event will combine keynote presentations with practical training sessions for valuation professionals and the wider jewellery trade. Focus on Practical Valuation Skills Workshops will take place on Sunday 17 May, covering a range of valuation and technical topics. Sessions include gemstone pricing, mounted stone assessment, hallmark identification and manufacturing methods. Kate Flitcroft will lead a session on auctioneering, examining estimating strategies and sale room…

The Diamond Council of America (DCA) has launched a workforce development programme, the ‘Second Spark’ Initiative, aimed at addressing labour shortages in jewellery retail while creating entry pathways for veterans and parents returning to the workforce. The initiative introduces a structured route into the sector, combining training, certification and job placement support, with backing from the JCK Industry Fund. Addressing Workforce Challenges The programme has been developed in response to recruitment pressures across the jewellery sector, including an ageing workforce, retirements and competition for retail staff. Second Spark is intended to expand the available talent pool by targeting individuals with…

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has opened a new School of Gemology and Jewelry Arts campus in Taipei, Taiwan – the only location in its global network to deliver the full Graduate Gemologist diploma programme in Chinese. The campus was officially inaugurated on 29 March 2026, marking an expansion of GIA’s education provision in Asia. New Facility and Programme Offering The Taiwan campus introduces full Chinese-language instruction for GIA’s Graduate Gemologist qualification, intended to improve access for Chinese-speaking students and support skills development across the regional jewellery and gemstone sector. GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel said: “Education is…

Morley Department Stores Limited has appointed Melanie Smallwood to the newly created role of Chief Trading Officer, with responsibility for the group’s buying and merchandising operations. Smallwood will join the business in April and report to chief executive Ray Clacher, as part of changes to the retailer’s senior leadership team. Senior Retail Experience Smallwood brings more than 30 years’ experience in retail, having held senior positions across department store and fashion businesses. Her previous roles include P&L responsibility for womenswear and kidswear at Harrods and Global Buying Director at Harvey Nichols. Most recently, she served as Chief Commercial and Brand…

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) will introduce World Diamond Day on 8 April 2026, a global initiative intended to bring together stakeholders across the diamond supply chain to share stories centred on natural diamonds. The observance, which will be marked annually, invites participation from designers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. The inaugural edition is positioned as a soft launch aimed at building engagement across the industry. Industry-Wide Participation through Social Media World Diamond Day will be driven by user-generated content shared across social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok. Participants are encouraged to post images or short videos using…

CIBJO has marked its 100th anniversary with the inauguration of a freshwater reservoir in Gujarat, India, developed to support water security in a drought-prone region. The project, named CIBJO Lake, was officially opened on 22 March 2026, coinciding with World Water Day. Located near the village of Luvariya in the Saurashtra region, the reservoir was developed by the Dholakia Foundation, the philanthropic arm of diamond manufacturer Hari Krishna Group. Project Scope and Regional Impact CIBJO Lake spans approximately 15 acres and has a storage capacity of 156 million litres. It forms part of the Gagadiya river rejuvenation initiative, which aims…

The Goldsmiths’ Centre has awarded its Business Catalyst (Large) Grants 2026 to jewellers Ebba Goring and Alison Macleod, with each receiving £7,000 to support business and skills development. London-based jeweller Matilde Mozzanega has been awarded a Commendation Grant of £1,000. Funded by the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, the programme supports UK-based jewellers, silversmiths and allied practitioners to develop technical and business capabilities, expand their services and access new markets. Focus on in-house skills development The 2026 recipients will use the funding to bring specialist processes into their own workshops and undertake targeted training. Ebba Goring, based in Burntisland, Fife, will invest in…

Ekapa Resources and Ekapa Minerals have closed the Ekapa diamond mine in Kimberley, South Africa, and filed for liquidation following a mud rush that trapped five miners underground on 17 February. The workers are now unfortunately presumed dead. The tragedy and associated closure brings to a halt 158 years of continuous diamond mining in Kimberley and places around 1,200 jobs at risk. Incident and Rescue Efforts In the early hours of 17 February, a surge of water, mud and rock flooded part of the Du Toitspan shaft at the Ekapa Mine, blocking access to the lowest mining level, around 800…