SourcingMay 26, 2022
Q&A: Deciphering De Beers’ Blockchain PlatformSourcingJun 23, 2022
Rough Diamond Sales Rise Again for De Beers
Sales were up 36 percent year-over-year in June and are pacing 24 percent ahead of last year at this point.
De Beers Group reported rough diamond sales of $650 million in June, up from $477 million in roughly the same period in 2021 and $604 million in May. (©De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films)
Gaborone, Botswana—De Beers Group’s rough diamond sales jumped 36 percent year-over-year in June, with the company attributing the increase to continued demand for diamond jewelry in the U.S. market.
De Beers reported Wednesday that sales of rough diamonds to sightholders and auction clients totaled $650 million in its fifth sales cycle of the year (June 6-21), compared with $477 million in roughly the same period last year.
Month-over-month, sales are up 8 percent from $604 million.
Year-to-date, De Beers’ rough diamond sales have totaled $3.13 billion and are now pacing 24 percent ahead of last year ($2.53 billion), up from 21 percent last month.
CEO Bruce Cleaver said diamond jewelry continues to perform well in the U.S. market, a trend reinforced by the positive sentiment in the trade following a busy and, many say, lucrative JCK Las Vegas show.
“The continued strength of U.S. demand for diamond jewelry and the gradual reopening of retail outlets in China following COVID-19-related lockdowns have supported the sales momentum of De Beers Group’s rough diamonds in the fifth sales cycle of the year,” he said.
Also helping to boost De Beers 2022 sales are the sanctions placed on Alrosa in light of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, analysts have noted.
While the sentiment coming out of the Las Vegas trade shows largely is positive, the most recent reports about U.S. diamond and jewelry sales are mixed.
In its SpendingPulse report released June 14, MasterCard had jewelry sales increasing 22 percent year-over-year, and up 65 percent when compared with May 2019, pre-pandemic.
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, US jewelry sales leaped 22% YoY in May. I doubt that growth against a fantastic 2021. Our data shows a 1.1% growth in jewelry and a 4.4% decline in diamonds.
— Edahn Golan (@edahn) June 16, 2022
That said, it's worth checking out.https://t.co/Gmh9KwPibc
In a tweet, diamond industry analyst Edahn Golan called into question MasterCard’s bullish report, particularly as 2022 sales are up against a “fantastic” 2021.
In an article on his own website on diamond sales, Golan cited data from Tenoris showing diamond unit sales in the U.S. were down 24 percent year-over-year in May and declined from the previous month, which is unusual since diamond sales usually rise in May due to Mother’s Day.
“The expected cool-down [in diamond sales] is here,” he wrote. “This was not only expected, but also reasonable considering the rising cost of fuel, housing, and household products, along with the tanking stock market.”
It is not “the end of the world,” he wrote, “but it is the end of a wild ride, at least for now.”
Golan also noted a decline in sales of engagement rings set with natural diamonds but rising interest in lab-grown diamonds among U.S. consumers, particularly for engagement rings.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
ColumnistsSep 11, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
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.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
