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
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
