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 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
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.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
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.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
