MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
SourcingMar 09, 2017
Diamond Trading ‘Subdued’ in January, February
Jewelers haven’t been replenishing their stock like expected, and diamond prices have softened slightly.
More than $2 billion in rough diamonds have entered the supply pipeline so far this year, which could put a strain on the midstream portion of the market if polished demand doesn’t pick up soon, the Rapaport Group said.
New York--Diamond trading has been “subdued” in the first two months of the new year, and diamond prices have softened slightly as a result, the Rapaport Group said in its monthly report for February.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) for 1-carat, GIA-graded polished diamonds was down 0.3 percent in February, has fallen 1 percent in the first two months of the year and is down nearly 8 percent from a year ago.
The RAPI for half-carat diamonds also fell (down 1 percent) in February while 3-carat diamond prices were flat and the RAPI rose 0.5 percent for 0.3-carat diamonds.
Jewelers haven’t been restocking their diamonds as much as anticipated, though U.S. retailers are expected to do so this month.
As De Beers noted in its year-end results, the United States was the only growth market for diamond jewelry in 2016.
And in 2017, there already has been a “notable” rise in jewelry-related advertising, Rapaport’s monthly reported stated, with Tiffany & Co. spending for a Super Bowl spot starring Lady Gaga and the Diamond Producers Association airing a commercial during the Oscars. The DPA will unveil its third commercial next month and launch the second phase of the “Real is Rare” campaign, which his intended to stimulate demand for diamond jewelry among millennials, in September.
On the rough side of the business, trading was steady in February though the Rapaport Group noted that more than $2 billion worth of rough diamonds have entered the supply pipeline since the beginning of the year and could strain midstream inventory if the expected increase in polished demand doesn’t materialize.
Sales Down for De Beers
Around the same time the Rapaport Group published its report for February, De Beers released its latest sales figures.
The diamond miner and marketer sold an estimated $545 million in rough diamonds in its second sales cycle of the year. This figure includes sales made to sightholders and through its auction platform.
That is down 13 percent from the $617 million in rough diamond sold during the same period last year.
CEO Bruce Cleaver described demand as “good” and in line with expectations for this time of the year.
The decline follows a period in which the company recorded a sharp year-over-year increase in sales.
Originally, De Beers put the total for its first sales cycle of the year at $720 million but has revised that upward to $729 million, meaning the year-over-year increase was actually 34 percent.
Here’s
a chart tracking De Beers’ rough diamond sales since January 2016, when the company began making the information publicly available.
2016 2017 First sales cycle $545 million $729 million Second $617 million $545 million (provisional) Third $666 million Fourth $636 million Fifth $564 million Sixth $528 million Seventh $639 million Eighth $494 million Ninth $476 million Tenth $422 million
2016 2017 First sales cycle $545 million $729 million Second $617 million $545 million (provisional) Third $666 million Fourth $636 million Fifth $564 million Sixth $528 million Seventh $639 million Eighth $494 million Ninth $476 million Tenth $422 million
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
