Policies & IssuesDec 20, 2023
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Finished Jewelry to Fall Under G7 Ban, EU Says SourcingDec 21, 2023
De Beers’ Rough Diamond Sales Down 37% YOY
The company was up against tough comps and had to curtail sales as diamond demand waned.
De Beers Group sold $130 million worth of rough diamonds in its 10th and final sales cycle of the year (Nov. 9-Dec. 19). It finished the year with a rough diamond sales total of $3.63 billion, compared with $5.80 billion in 2022.
Gaborone, Botswana—De Beers Group finished 2023 with rough diamond sales totaling $3.63 billion, down 37 percent when compared with 2022.
The company faced tough comparables—2022 sales neared $6 billion, the company’s strongest showing in four years—and softer-than-expected demand due to inflation and the sluggish Chinese market.
De Beers holds 10 “sales cycles” per year, and the total for each generally includes sales of rough diamonds made to both sightholders and online auction customers.
Sales began declining steadily in the fourth sales cycle (May 1-16) and in the eighth (Sept. 18-Oct. 3), De Beers began pulling back on sales in earnest.
It canceled the remainder of its online auctions for the year and announced it was giving sightholders full flexibility on purchases in sights 9 and 10.
In mid-September, the company also announced plans for a $20 million marketing campaign for natural diamonds using the iconic “A Diamond Is Forever” tagline.
Related stories will be right here …
The company faced tough comparables—2022 sales neared $6 billion, the company’s strongest showing in four years—and softer-than-expected demand due to inflation and the sluggish Chinese market.
De Beers holds 10 “sales cycles” per year, and the total for each generally includes sales of rough diamonds made to both sightholders and online auction customers.
Sales began declining steadily in the fourth sales cycle (May 1-16) and in the eighth (Sept. 18-Oct. 3), De Beers began pulling back on sales in earnest.
It canceled the remainder of its online auctions for the year and announced it was giving sightholders full flexibility on purchases in sights 9 and 10.
In mid-September, the company also announced plans for a $20 million marketing campaign for natural diamonds using the iconic “A Diamond Is Forever” tagline.
De Beers moved $200 million in rough in sales cycle 8 (mid-September through early October), compared with $508 million in the prior-year period; and only $86 million in sales cycle 9, compared with $454 million.
In its 10th and final sales cycle of the year (early November through mid-December), rough diamond sales totaled $130 million, down 69 percent compared with $417 million in the same period last year but up 51 percent when compared with sales cycle 9.
On Wednesday, De Beers CEO Al Cook said there are signs the supply-demand balance is returning and polished diamond prices are stabilizing as wholesalers sell through more of their inventory.
Still, he said he expects the recovery in rough diamond trading conditions to be “gradual.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
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.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
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.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
