SurveysJun 22, 2021
Diamond Jewelry Sales Strong, Says NDCSourcingJun 24, 2021
For De Beers and Alrosa, Rough Demand Is Exceeding Pre-Pandemic Levels
Consumer desire for diamond jewelry remains strong while midstream demand in India is returning, the companies said.
A collection of rough diamonds from De Beers’ mines at the DBSSSA Building in Kimberley, South Africa. Sales for both De Beers and Alrosa are up double-digits when compared to pre-pandemic levels. (© De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films)
London—Sales for the world’s two biggest diamond miners continue to top pre-pandemic levels as consumer demand for diamond jewelry in key markets shows no signs of slowing.
De Beers Group reported Thursday that it sold $470 million in rough diamonds to sightholders and via its auction platform between June 7 and 22, its fifth sales cycle of the year. (The company continues to extend its sights beyond their normal week-long duration because of ongoing travel restrictions.)
Rough sales totaled only $56 million around the same period last year. De Beers combined sales cycles four and five as the pandemic brought trading and demand to a near standstill.
Compared to the same period in 2019 ($391 million), rough sales are up 20 percent this year.
CEO Bruce Cleaver said as the diamond industry moves into the second half of the year, demand for diamond jewelry in the two key markets, the United States and China, remains strong.
In India, which was devastated by a deadly second wave of COVID-19 that started in March, midstream capacity is returning, fueling strong demand for rough.
“Overall sentiment is increasingly optimistic as we move towards the second half of the year and, while risks as a result of the global pandemic persist, we have been encouraged by the condition of the market,” Cleaver said.
Related stories will be right here …
De Beers Group reported Thursday that it sold $470 million in rough diamonds to sightholders and via its auction platform between June 7 and 22, its fifth sales cycle of the year. (The company continues to extend its sights beyond their normal week-long duration because of ongoing travel restrictions.)
Rough sales totaled only $56 million around the same period last year. De Beers combined sales cycles four and five as the pandemic brought trading and demand to a near standstill.
Compared to the same period in 2019 ($391 million), rough sales are up 20 percent this year.
CEO Bruce Cleaver said as the diamond industry moves into the second half of the year, demand for diamond jewelry in the two key markets, the United States and China, remains strong.
In India, which was devastated by a deadly second wave of COVID-19 that started in March, midstream capacity is returning, fueling strong demand for rough.
“Overall sentiment is increasingly optimistic as we move towards the second half of the year and, while risks as a result of the global pandemic persist, we have been encouraged by the condition of the market,” Cleaver said.
The remarks of Alrosa Deputy CEO Evgeny Agureev mirror those of De Beers’ top executive.
The situation in India has improved since April/early May, with cutters and polishers again in need of rough diamonds, he said.
On the consumer side, demand for diamond jewelry remains “robust” in all key regions. Agureev said in the first four months of the year, U.S. diamond jewelry sales were 30 percent above pre-pandemic levels. In China, they were up by 10 percent.
In the month of May, Alrosa’s sales totaled $365 million, $346 million rough and $19 million in polished.
That a considerable improvement of course from May 2020, when Alrosa’s sales totaled only $40.1 million.
Compared to May 2019 (rough and polished sales of $266 million), this year’s results are up 37 percent.
Year-to-date, Alrosa’s rough and polished diamond sales total stands at $1.93 billion, 101 percent and 21 percent ahead of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
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.”
