SurveysOct 26, 2021
We’ve Reached the Sustainability ‘Tipping Point,’ De Beers SaysSourcingOct 27, 2021
De Beers Sees Q3 Production Climb, Trims Full-Year Forecast
Production rose 28 percent in the third quarter as De Beers ramped up mining operations to meet demand.
Work at the diamond mines owned and operated by De Beers Group picked up in the third quarter. Pictured is a digger loading kimberlite into haul trucks at the Orapa mine in Botswana; overall diamond production in Botswana rose 33 percent in Q3. (©De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films)
London—Production rose 28 percent year-over-year in the third quarter for De Beers Group as the diamond miner and marketer worked to keep up with demand.
Diamond production in the quarter totaled 9.2 million carats, compared with 7.2 million carats in the third quarter 2020.
Breaking it down by country, production in Botswana rose 33 percent to 6.4 million carats, with planned treatment of higher-grade ore only partially offset by lower production at the Orapa with the planned closure of Plant 1.
In Namibia, production jumped 65 percent year-over-year to 400,000 carats. Namdeb’s marine mining fleet was beached during Q3 2020 in response to lower demand at that time.
South Africa’s production rose 34 percent to 1.6 million carats, as De Beers treated higher-grade ore from the final cut of Venetia’s open pit (plans call for the mine to soon go underground) and plant performance improved.
Canada was the only country to record a decline in production, with De Beers mining 800,000 carats there in Q3, a 13 percent drop due to lower-grade ore being processed.
Year-to-date in 2021, De Beers has produced 24.6 million carats of diamonds, a 33 percent increase over 18.4 million carats in 2020, when COVID-19 hampered production.
Compared to 2019, De Beers’ year-to-date production total is up 7 percent.
De Beers noted that demand continues to be strong, as rough diamonds keep flowing through the midstream to satisfy consumer demand for polished diamonds in the United States and China.
Rough diamond sales totaled 7.8 million carats in from two sights in Q3 2021, compared with 7.3 million carats from two sights in Q2, and 6.6 million carats from three sights in Q3 2020.
Despite strong demand, De Beers is trimming its full-year production forecast, stating it now expects to mine about 32 million carats of diamonds, down from previous guidance of 32-22 million carats.
It cited “continuing operational challenges,” and noted its forecast is subject to any further COVID-19- related disruptions.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
