SourcingJun 10, 2024
State of the Diamond Industry: Botswana Beyond DiamondsSourcingMay 24, 2024
De Beers’ Sales Slide in Fourth Round of Sales This Year
The company sold $380 million in rough diamonds, compared with $479 million in the same period last year.
De Beers Group’s latest round of rough diamond sales totaled $380 million, down 21 percent year-over-year. The company expects natural diamond sales to remain challenging in the near future but anticipates an uptick in engagements in the coming years. (©De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films)
Gaborone, Botswana—De Beers Group’s rough diamond sales declined in the fourth sales cycle of the year, falling 21 percent year-over-year.
The company reported Thursday that its latest round of sales totaled $380 million, down from $479 million in the fourth sales cycle of 2023.
De Beers’ sales also fell 15 percent in comparison with the third sales cycle of 2024, when they totaled $446 million.
Year-to-date, De Beers sales fell slightly more behind last year following the fourth sales cycle.
The company’s rough diamond sales are now 17 percent lower than they were at this time last year, totaling $1.63 billion compared with $1.97 billion a year ago.
The slowdown, which CEO Al Cook explained as seasonal in part, comes as De Beers faces myriad issues, including competition from lab-grown diamonds, the complications caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions on Russian diamond miner Alrosa, and an uncertain future when it comes to corporate ownership.
Earlier this month, De Beers’ parent company Anglo American confirmed reports that it is looking to offload the diamond miner and marketer as it turns its attention to “green” energy commodities, like copper.
Related stories will be right here …
The company reported Thursday that its latest round of sales totaled $380 million, down from $479 million in the fourth sales cycle of 2023.
De Beers’ sales also fell 15 percent in comparison with the third sales cycle of 2024, when they totaled $446 million.
Year-to-date, De Beers sales fell slightly more behind last year following the fourth sales cycle.
The company’s rough diamond sales are now 17 percent lower than they were at this time last year, totaling $1.63 billion compared with $1.97 billion a year ago.
The slowdown, which CEO Al Cook explained as seasonal in part, comes as De Beers faces myriad issues, including competition from lab-grown diamonds, the complications caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions on Russian diamond miner Alrosa, and an uncertain future when it comes to corporate ownership.
Earlier this month, De Beers’ parent company Anglo American confirmed reports that it is looking to offload the diamond miner and marketer as it turns its attention to “green” energy commodities, like copper.
In commenting on the results, Cook pointed to quieter trading in India because of the elections—the country’s general elections are taking place now through June 1—and said short-term macroeconomic issues are going to continue to hamper natural diamond demand in the United States.
However, he expects the engagement ring market to pick up in the coming years as relationships that started post-pandemic blossom into engagements.
De Beers announced this week that it is collaborating with Signet Jewelers on a marketing campaign that will roll out in Q3 targeting “zillennials,” those born on the cusp of the millennial generation (1981-1996) and Generation Z (1997-2012), with natural diamond messaging.
Cook said, “As expected, De Beers’ rough diamond sales in the fourth cycle of the year trended lower, in line with the seasonally slower second quarter and a quieter period of trading in India during the elections.
“The focus of the global diamond industry now turns towards the JCK jewelry show in Las Vegas at the end of May. Demand trends in the U.S. are expected to be driven by short-term macroeconomic issues but supported in coming years by a recovery in engagements as the after-effects of pandemic lockdowns fade.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
