AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
EditorsOct 04, 2012
What’s in a name (change)?
Earlier this week, news broke of a renaming and corporate identity consolidation underway at De Beers, a company in the midst of a major transition as the Oppenheimer family exits the diamond business and Anglo American ups its stake. The...
Earlier this week, news broke of a renaming and corporate identity consolidation underway at De Beers, a company in the midst of a major transition as the Oppenheimer family exits the diamond business and Anglo American ups its stake.
De Beers said that these changes are only the tip of the iceberg, a “piece of work,” in a long-term effort to transform its sales and production strategy, and that it will divulge more about additional changes in the coming months and years.
So, the question on the industry’s mind now is: What will these other changes entail?
Several hours after news of the renaming surfaced on Tuesday, I happened to be interviewing industry analyst Ben Janowski for a separate story. The conversation inevitably drifted to that day’s news.
Janowski reminded me of a previous talk we had back in November, where he said Anglo American could eventually transition to simply being a mining company that sells its goods via auctions, sans the sightholder system.
What happened on Tuesday, he said, is just a harbinger of future simplification, which could include a very gradual phasing out of sights.
It’s a prediction that Janowski, and others, have made before. What made sense as a sales model for the De Beers that controlled 85 to 90 percent of the world’s supply of rough diamonds doesn’t necessarily jibe for an Anglo American that now has just 35 percent.
But what about Forevermark, De Beers’ branded diamond that only recently launched in the U.S. market? Some have predicted that Forevermark eventually will be phased out too, just like the sightholder system. Yet having a consumer-facing diamond brand seems to be in line with De Beers’ realignment, which seeks to put the consumer at the front of the diamond pipeline.
De Beers, for their part, has denied repeatedly that they are going to eliminate either the sightholder system or Forevermark. De Beers Executive Director and Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier told me as much back in November. And in her letter to sightholders reprinted in the
IDEX Online story, DTC CEO Varda Shine stressed that these changes are in name only, not in structure, and calls the sightholders an “integral” part of De Beers’ focus going forward.
For my part, I think it is difficult to tell exactly what changes Anglo American, which now controls 85 percent of De Beers, will make to the business in the coming months and years, especially given how rapidly the world around us changes these days.
For my part, I think it is difficult to tell exactly what changes Anglo American, which now controls 85 percent of De Beers, will make to the business in the coming months and years, especially given how rapidly the world around us changes these days.
More on Editors
The Latest
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
