ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
SourcingFeb 01, 2016
De Beers ‘encouraged’ by first sales of the year
The diamond miner and marketer said rough diamond sales totaled $540 million in its first sales cycle of the year, more than double the $248 million recorded at the end of 2015.
After a dismal ending to 2015, De Beers saw its rough diamond sales increase 118 percent in the first sales cycle of the year. Seasonal demand in the U.S. helped push polished diamonds through the pipeline, stimulating demand for rough.
Gaborone, Botswana--Rough diamond sales have shown signs of recovery so far in 2016, figures released last week by De Beers show.
Accounting for both sightholder and auction sales, De Beers reported that its rough diamond sales totaled $540 million in January. That is more than double the $248 million in sales recorded in the final sales cycle of 2015.
A “positive” holiday season in the United States, combined with the fact that manufacturers and polishers bought less rough in the fourth quarter and slowed manufacturing, helped to push some of the polished diamonds through the backed-up pipeline. This, in turn, meant more companies needed to buy rough during this first sales cycle of the year.
In a statement included in De Beers’ sales news release, CEO Philippe Mellier said he was “encouraged” by the results and noted that the company will “keep working closely with our customers to deliver sustainable improvements in the diamond industry in 2016,” a year in which there is expected to be volatility in the marketplace.
It is believed that this is the first time in its 128-year history that De Beers has disclosed rough diamond sales data on a cycle-by-cycle basis.
As Mellier noted in his speech during parent company Anglo American’s investor day in December, De Beers has started releasing the cycle-by-cycle sales figures so the market doesn’t “rely on rumors” when it comes to rough diamond prices.
When asked what rumors Mellier was addressing specifically in his speech, De Beers spokesman David Johnson said it was the reports in the trade press “speculating” on what they believed the company’s rough diamond sales to be, reports that could be “significantly different” from the actual results.
Rapaport (Diamonds.net) is one example of trade website that regularly published estimated figures on De Beers’ sightholder sales.
Mellier also said that the release of the cycle-by-cycle figures was part of an effort by De Beers to increase transparency, noting in his speech that “you (meaning Anglo American investors) have been asking a lot of questions about how we are doing and you wanted to understand a little bit more (about) our business.”
There are limits, however, to how much information De Beers is willing to disclose.
The figures released last week did not include year-over-year comparisons, and Johnson said Monday that De Beers will not break down the sales value by channel, i.e. sightholder sales vs. auction sales, because it does not want
to share information about its operations that could be beneficial to its competitors.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
