WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
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
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
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.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
