CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
SourcingSep 19, 2018
De Beers Sales Flatline, Alrosa’s Climb
The strongest demand is at the top end of the market, with De Beers allowing sightholders to hold off on buying lower-value rough for now.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales totaled $505 million in its most recent round of sightholder and auction sales, while rival Alrosa reported August sales of $294.9 million, a figure that includes rough and polished diamonds.
New York—The strongest demand for diamonds is coming from the top end of the market currently, with De Beers allowing sightholders to defer on lower-end goods.
The diamond miner and marketer’s most recent sightholder and auction sales totaled $505 million, slightly below the $507 million sold in the same period last year. (The $505 million, it should be noted, is a provisional figure that likely will be revised upward.)
De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver said at this most recent sight, the company gave sightholders the chance to “re-phase the allocation” of lower-value rough diamonds, meaning it let buyers put off on buying smaller stones for now.
He described rough diamond demand as “stable” ahead of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which was held last week but cut one day short after Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into Hong Kong in the midst of the show.
The figure for sightholder and auction sales for the sixth sales cycle, released last month, was revised upward from $530 million to $533 million.
Alrosa, meanwhile, reported year-over-year increases in diamond sales for both the month of August and year-to-date.
The Moscow-based diamond miner sold $294.9 million in diamonds last month—$283.2 million in rough and $11.7 million in polished—a 14 percent year-over-year increase.
In January through August, Alrosa’s sales grew 9 percent year-over-year to $3.32 billion, $3.26 billion in rough and the remaining $67 million in polished.
Deputy CEO for Sales Yury Okoemov said demand for diamonds continues to be positive and is stable across Alrosa’s entire range of diamonds, with higher-priced rough diamonds performing best.
RELATED CONTENT: Alrosa Holds First Sale of Natural Color Diamonds in HKHe said the company maintains a “moderately positive” outlook for the remainder of 2018. Longer term, the growing demand for diamond jewelry in the world’s three main markets, the United States, China and India, will continue to support the industry, he said.
Here is a chart showing the year-over-year comparison for De Beers’ rough diamond sales so far this year. The diamond miner and marketer’s 2018 sales are pacing about 2 percent behind last year’s at $3.93 billion to date.
2017 2018 First sales cycle $729 million $672 million Second $553 million $563 million Third
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
$586 million
$524 million
Fourth
$522 million
$554 million
Fifth
$541 million
$581 million
Sixth
$576 million
$533 million
Seventh
$507 million
$505 million (provisional)
Eighth
$376 million
Ninth
$466 million
Tenth
$455 million
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 24, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
