SourcingOct 07, 2021
De Beers Sells First Rough From Artisanal Mining ProgramSourcingOct 21, 2021
Diamond Jewelry Demand at a ‘Record High,’ Alrosa Says
Both Alrosa and De Beers continue to report robust rough diamond sales fueled by strong consumer demand.
In their most recent results, Alrosa and De Beers Group reported strong rough diamond sales once again, fueled by end-consumer demand that Alrosa described as “record high.” (Photo courtesy of De Beers Group)
New York—Consumers’ current, and seemingly insatiable, appetite for diamond jewelry has pushed demand to record levels, Alrosa said, and continues to fuel midstream demand.
Alrosa reported earlier this month that sales of rough and polished diamonds totaled $298 million in September—$289 million in rough and $9 million in polished.
That is 11 percent below the $336 million it generated in rough and polished sales in September 2020—which is right around the time diamond demand began to recover—but remains ahead of September 2019 sales of $258.7 million.
And Alrosa is still posting significant year-over-year gains.
The mining company’s rough and polished diamonds sales have totaled $3.27 billion through the first nine months of 2021, more than double the $1.58 billion it had generated at the same point last year, and up 35 percent from $2.42 million in 2019.
“According to our preliminary estimates, end consumer demand for diamond jewelry is record high,” Deputy CEO Evgeny Agureev said, noting both the United States and China are up double-digits compared to 2019 and jewelry sales in Europe are gaining momentum.
This is fueling strong demand in the midstream and pushing up rough prices. Agureev said the rough diamond price index has returned to 2018 levels, and polished diamond prices are surpassing the 2018 average.
“Our clients are mostly optimistic about the upcoming festive season, and we expect the positive trend to continue into 2022,” he concluded.
Related stories will be right here …
Alrosa reported earlier this month that sales of rough and polished diamonds totaled $298 million in September—$289 million in rough and $9 million in polished.
That is 11 percent below the $336 million it generated in rough and polished sales in September 2020—which is right around the time diamond demand began to recover—but remains ahead of September 2019 sales of $258.7 million.
And Alrosa is still posting significant year-over-year gains.
The mining company’s rough and polished diamonds sales have totaled $3.27 billion through the first nine months of 2021, more than double the $1.58 billion it had generated at the same point last year, and up 35 percent from $2.42 million in 2019.
“According to our preliminary estimates, end consumer demand for diamond jewelry is record high,” Deputy CEO Evgeny Agureev said, noting both the United States and China are up double-digits compared to 2019 and jewelry sales in Europe are gaining momentum.
This is fueling strong demand in the midstream and pushing up rough prices. Agureev said the rough diamond price index has returned to 2018 levels, and polished diamond prices are surpassing the 2018 average.
“Our clients are mostly optimistic about the upcoming festive season, and we expect the positive trend to continue into 2022,” he concluded.
On Wednesday, De Beers Group reported rough diamond sales of $490 million for the period Oct. 4-19, its eighth sales cycle of the year.
That is up 5 percent from $467 million in cycle 8 2020 and well ahead of $297 million in cycle 8 2019.
Year-to-date, the company’s diamond sales have totaled approximately $4 billion, double the $1.9 billion it had sold at this point last year (though, De Beers noted, it had one less sales cycle in 2020 due to COVID-19) and up from $3.2 billion in 2019.
De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver also noted continued strong demand for diamond jewelry in the U.S., and said the company experienced “robust” demand for rough diamonds ahead of Diwali, when many polishing factories in India will close to celebrate the days-long festival.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
