Sourcing

De Beers’ Production Drops 25% as Demand Remains Sluggish

SourcingOct 29, 2024

De Beers’ Production Drops 25% as Demand Remains Sluggish

The company combined two sights in Q3 due to the slowdown in demand, and said it is moving up the dates for sights 9 and 10 in Q4.

Stock image of a diamond engagement ring
De Beers Group saw production slide again in the third quarter as diamond demand remains muted. It is working with Signet Jewelers in the United States to boost demand for natural diamonds among those 25 to 30 years old, a prime demographic for purchasing engagement rings. It also is working on marketing natural diamonds in China via a partnership with Chow Tai Fook.
London—Production dropped 25 percent in the third quarter for De Beers Group as diamond demand remains sluggish, particularly in China.

The diamond miner and marketer reported late last week that third-quarter production totaled 5.6 million carats, compared with 7.4 million carats in Q3 2023.

Year-to-date, production has totaled 18.9 million carats, a 21 percent drop-off when compared with 23.9 million carats in 2023.

De Beers cited the “prolonged period” of lower demand for diamonds that has resulted in a glut of goods in the midstream, and its continued focus on managing costs as parent company Anglo American looks to offload it as the reasons for the drop in production.    

Production was down in three of the four countries where De Beers mines diamonds.

It fell 32 percent to 4 million carats in Botswana, where De Beers cut back on operations at the Jwaneng mine, and declined 14 percent to 500,000 carats in Namibia, where the company pulled back on marine mining operations. 

In Canada, production slid 11 percent to 600,000 carats as it focused on treating lower-grade ore. 

The only country where diamond production increased in Q3 was South Africa. 

Production there rose 41 percent year-over-year to 500,000 carats due to underground operations ramping up at Venetia, De Beers’ only remaining mine in the country. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

Because of sluggish demand, De Beers merged sights 7 and 8 into a single selling event in the third quarter and it has moved up the dates for sights 9 and 10 to support sightholders ahead of the holiday selling season.

Results of the combined sights will be reflected in the fourth-quarter production report, leaving Q3 with only one sight totaling 2.1 million carats and generating $213 million in revenue, compared with three sights in Q3 2023 that totaled 7.4 million carats and generated $899 million in revenue. 

The year-to-date consolidated average realized price for rough diamonds increased by 4 percent to $160/carat.

De Beers said it sold a larger proportion of higher-value rough diamonds but that was partially offset by an 18 percent decrease in the average rough price index.

In the third quarter, the average rough price index remained largely unchanged from the second quarter 2024.

De Beers said its production forecast for the year remains unchanged at 23 million-26 million carats but noted it was “actively assessing” with its partners ways to reduce production going forward.

Also during Q3, De Beers launched “Worth the Wait,” its new natural diamond marketing campaign created in partnership with Signet Jewelers.

The campaign focuses on the emotional work people must do to be ready for a healthy relationship, likening the time and pressure it takes to become one’s best self to the natural diamond growth process. 

The media plan for “Worth the Wait” includes social media, streaming platforms like Hulu and Peacock, and the in-store screens and websites of Signet Jewelers-owned stores. 

It is aimed at the “zillennials,” people born on the tail end of the millennial generation or in the early years of Gen Z. 

Zillennials are approximately 25 to 30 years old, making them prime targets for engagement ring marketing.  

De Beers also is collaborating on a natural diamond marketing campaign in China with that country’s Signet equivalent, Chow Tai Fook. 

The Latest

Tiffany & Co. Love Is a Gift Holiday Campaign with Amanda Seyfried
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday Campaign

Tiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.

Graphic of cauldron and cat with jewelry in bubbles
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on You

For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.

Jaythan Gilder and Stolen Tiffany & Co. Earrings
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings Convicted

Jaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

DeBeersICONS_TITLE1_CUSTOMCONTENT_1872x1052 (1).jpg
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural Diamonds

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Gas station
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices Ease

Consumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.

Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Stuller Magic of the Moment Holiday Campaign
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ Shine

The holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.

Mervis Diamond Importers store
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond Importers

Solomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.

lab channel btyb 0926.png
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.

Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.

Woman holding testing swab
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New Jewels

The fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.

Sarin Bachmann and Julie Walsh
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ Honorees

The annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

Ali Ahn in Bliss Lau Vantage Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian Horizon

In her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.

Behind the scenes shot of Tiffany & Co.’s Design and Innovation Workshop
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the Scenes

The jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.

Jewelers for Children Halloween contest
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You Dare

Vote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.

Image from PGI USA Platinum Born campaign
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s End

The closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

Jewelers of America new logo
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, Logo

The website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.

Pomellato Paraíba high jewelry choker necklace
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3

Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.

Stock image of crime scene tape and police cars
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store

Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.

Verdura cuffs
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has Everything

Bespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.

JIS Fall 2026 jewelry
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance

The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.

John Hardy Billie Eilish & Finneas Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John Hardy

The Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.

Graphic for episode 10 of the My Next Question podcast
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted 

Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.

Gardner Collier Jewelry store in Kirksville Missouri
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in Business

The family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.

Underground shaft at the Venetia diamond mine
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year Shutdown

The De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.

Off-White Jewelry Collection Imagery
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-White

The collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.

Gemfields rubies
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52M

The miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas Mall

The guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.

David Gardner’s Jewelers interior
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped Showroom

The Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy