SourcingApr 21, 2022
De Beers Slated to Begin Diamond Exploration in AngolaSourcingApr 25, 2022
Q1 Diamond Production Up 25% for De Beers
Rio Tinto, meanwhile, saw production slip due in part to COVID-related employee absences.
An aerial view of Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Rio Tinto saw first-quarter production decline 2 percent due in part to COVID-19 complications, while De Beers Group’s production rose 25 percent.
New York—De Beers Group recorded a double-digit increase in diamond production to start the year, while COVID-19 complications hampered operations at Rio Tinto’s only remaining diamond mine.
First-quarter production for De Beers totaled 8.9 million carats, up 25 percent from Q1 2021 (7.2 million carats) and 16 percent when compared with the previous quarter (Q4 2021, at 7.7 million carats).
South Africa, where De Beers has just one mine now, Venetia, posted the highest year-over-year production increase at 46 percent due to treatment of higher-grade ore from the final cut of the open pit.
Production in Namibia was up 33 percent primarily due to higher recovery from Namdeb’s ocean crawler vessels, with less planned maintenance on the Mafuta and the new diamond recovery vessel, the $420 million Benguela Gem, rolling out earlier than expected.
Production in Botswana, where De Beers operates with the government as Debswana, rose 25 percent from increased processing at Orapa and Jwaneng, as well as planned higher grades.
Related stories will be right here …
First-quarter production for De Beers totaled 8.9 million carats, up 25 percent from Q1 2021 (7.2 million carats) and 16 percent when compared with the previous quarter (Q4 2021, at 7.7 million carats).
South Africa, where De Beers has just one mine now, Venetia, posted the highest year-over-year production increase at 46 percent due to treatment of higher-grade ore from the final cut of the open pit.
Production in Namibia was up 33 percent primarily due to higher recovery from Namdeb’s ocean crawler vessels, with less planned maintenance on the Mafuta and the new diamond recovery vessel, the $420 million Benguela Gem, rolling out earlier than expected.
Production in Botswana, where De Beers operates with the government as Debswana, rose 25 percent from increased processing at Orapa and Jwaneng, as well as planned higher grades.
The only country to record a decline in first-quarter diamond production for De Beers was Canada.
Production at the company’s only mine there, Gahcho Kué, fell 15 percent as a result of treating lower-grade ore.
In the release for its Q1 production results, De Beers shared the same sentiment it did when reporting its most recent rough diamond sales.
Demand for rough diamonds has remained robust in 2022, it said, but current events, including the war in Ukraine and recent COVID-19 outbreaks in China, have diamond companies on alert going into Q2.
“As we head into the seasonally slower second quarter of the year, diamond businesses are adopting a more cautious and watchful approach in light of the war in Ukraine and associated sanctions, as well as the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns in China,” De Beers said.
The company’s production guidance for the year remains unchanged at 30-33 million carats.
For Rio Tinto, which owns and operates the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada, issues around COVID-19 hampered first-quarter production.
The miner recovered 991,000 carats at Diavik, down 1.6 percent when compared with the first quarter 2021 (1 million carats) and 14 percent from the previous quarter (Q4 2021, 1.2 million carats).
Rio Tinto said COVID-related employee absences and an unplanned outage that impacted processing affected its first-quarter results.
Despite the slow start, the miner’s guidance still calls for Diavik’s production to top last year’s, totaling between 5-6 million carats, compared with 3.8 million carats in 2021.
Diavik is Rio Tinto’s only active diamond mine. It took 100 percent ownership of the mine in November 2021.
The miner recovered 991,000 carats at Diavik, down 1.6 percent when compared with the first quarter 2021 (1 million carats) and 14 percent from the previous quarter (Q4 2021, 1.2 million carats).
Rio Tinto said COVID-related employee absences and an unplanned outage that impacted processing affected its first-quarter results.
Despite the slow start, the miner’s guidance still calls for Diavik’s production to top last year’s, totaling between 5-6 million carats, compared with 3.8 million carats in 2021.
Diavik is Rio Tinto’s only active diamond mine. It took 100 percent ownership of the mine in November 2021.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
