SourcingApr 21, 2021
Why Inclusivity Is Important in Diamond Traceability SourcingApr 23, 2021
De Beers’ Production Slips 7% in Q1
Heavy rainfall in southern Africa, a COVID-19 shutdown in Canada, and planned maintenance all contributed.
A digger loads kimberlite into a haul truck at the Orapa Diamond Mine in Botswana. Heavy rains hampered diamond production in Botswana in the first quarter, De Beers said. (©De Beers, Photo credit: Ben Perry, Armoury Films)
London—De Beers Group’s diamond production fell in the first quarter due to a mix of inclement weather, COVID-19, and planned maintenance.
The company mined 7.2 million carats of diamonds, down 7 percent from 7.8 million carats in Q1 2020 and 9 percent from 7.9 million carats in Q1 2019.
De Beers recorded its steepest decline in Namibia, where production fell 34 percent to 338,000 carats.
The marine mining vessel, the Mafuta, was undergoing planned maintenance while another vessel remained sidelined, part of the response to lower demand first implemented in Q3 2020.
Production in Canada dropped 16 percent to 710,000 carats, primarily because a COVID-19 outbreak forced De Beers to close Gahcho Kué in February.
Heavy rainfall impacted diamond mining in Botswana, where a 24 percent reduction at the Orapa mine contributed to the overall 12 percent slide in production to 5 million carats.
South Africa was the first quarter bright spot for De Beers.
Related stories will be right here …
The company mined 7.2 million carats of diamonds, down 7 percent from 7.8 million carats in Q1 2020 and 9 percent from 7.9 million carats in Q1 2019.
De Beers recorded its steepest decline in Namibia, where production fell 34 percent to 338,000 carats.
The marine mining vessel, the Mafuta, was undergoing planned maintenance while another vessel remained sidelined, part of the response to lower demand first implemented in Q3 2020.
Production in Canada dropped 16 percent to 710,000 carats, primarily because a COVID-19 outbreak forced De Beers to close Gahcho Kué in February.
Heavy rainfall impacted diamond mining in Botswana, where a 24 percent reduction at the Orapa mine contributed to the overall 12 percent slide in production to 5 million carats.
South Africa was the first quarter bright spot for De Beers.
Production increased 55 percent to 1.2 million carats due to the planned treatment of higher-grade ore from the final cut of the open pit at Venetia, the company’s sole remaining mine in South Africa.
De Beers said demand for rough diamonds recovered to pre-COVID levels in Q1, as the midstream restocked following strong demand for diamond jewelry in the U.S. and China at the end of 2020.
Rough diamond sales totaled 13.5 million carats from three sights, up from 8.9 million carats from two sights in Q1 2020 and 6.9 million carats from two sights in the fourth quarter 2020.
De Beers’ full-year production guidance remained unchanged at 32-34 million carats, though that is subject to trading conditions and the extent of any more COVID-19 related disruptions to its mines.
That target is up from both its 2020 total (25.1 million carats) and 2019 total (30.8 million carats).
That target is up from both its 2020 total (25.1 million carats) and 2019 total (30.8 million carats).
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
