Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
De Beers Q2 production drops
The volume of rough diamonds mined by De Beers fell 6 percent in the second quarter due in part to the company cutting back in response to “softer” trading conditions.
London--Rough diamond production was down in the second quarter for De Beers, parent company Anglo American reported Thursday.
Diamond production decreased by 6 percent year-over-year. De Beers said this was due mainly to lower grades and reduced plant availability at Orapa, one of its mines in Botswana. However, the company also stated that it purposefully reduced production slightly at the Venetia and Jwaneng tailings treatment plants in response to “softer” trading conditions.
Reduced production from mining companies is one of the solutions diamond industry players have proposed in order to help balance the disparity between rough and polished diamond prices.
Overall, production by Debswana, the partnership between De Beers and the government of Botswana, was down 6 percent in the second quarter, while production at DBCM (South Africa) fell 5 percent, Canadian production was down 11 percent and production in Namibia fell “slightly.”
In the first six months of the year, diamond production was down 3 percent year-over-year.
Total rough diamond sales volumes through the first six months of 2015 are down 26 percent year-over-year while consolidated sales volumes declined 27 percent. This is due to weak demand in the mid-stream in the first half of 2015, contrasted with the flurry of buying activity De Beers witnessed in the first six months of 2014.
The De Beers rough price index was on average 4 percent lower in the first half of the year but the average selling price was 7 percent higher, hitting $206 per carat, due to a higher-quality product mix sold relative to the first six months of 2014.
The Latest

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.


The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.