MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
SourcingMar 09, 2017
Diamond Trading ‘Subdued’ in January, February
Jewelers haven’t been replenishing their stock like expected, and diamond prices have softened slightly.
More than $2 billion in rough diamonds have entered the supply pipeline so far this year, which could put a strain on the midstream portion of the market if polished demand doesn’t pick up soon, the Rapaport Group said.
New York--Diamond trading has been “subdued” in the first two months of the new year, and diamond prices have softened slightly as a result, the Rapaport Group said in its monthly report for February.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) for 1-carat, GIA-graded polished diamonds was down 0.3 percent in February, has fallen 1 percent in the first two months of the year and is down nearly 8 percent from a year ago.
The RAPI for half-carat diamonds also fell (down 1 percent) in February while 3-carat diamond prices were flat and the RAPI rose 0.5 percent for 0.3-carat diamonds.
Jewelers haven’t been restocking their diamonds as much as anticipated, though U.S. retailers are expected to do so this month.
As De Beers noted in its year-end results, the United States was the only growth market for diamond jewelry in 2016.
And in 2017, there already has been a “notable” rise in jewelry-related advertising, Rapaport’s monthly reported stated, with Tiffany & Co. spending for a Super Bowl spot starring Lady Gaga and the Diamond Producers Association airing a commercial during the Oscars. The DPA will unveil its third commercial next month and launch the second phase of the “Real is Rare” campaign, which his intended to stimulate demand for diamond jewelry among millennials, in September.
On the rough side of the business, trading was steady in February though the Rapaport Group noted that more than $2 billion worth of rough diamonds have entered the supply pipeline since the beginning of the year and could strain midstream inventory if the expected increase in polished demand doesn’t materialize.
Sales Down for De Beers
Around the same time the Rapaport Group published its report for February, De Beers released its latest sales figures.
The diamond miner and marketer sold an estimated $545 million in rough diamonds in its second sales cycle of the year. This figure includes sales made to sightholders and through its auction platform.
That is down 13 percent from the $617 million in rough diamond sold during the same period last year.
CEO Bruce Cleaver described demand as “good” and in line with expectations for this time of the year.
The decline follows a period in which the company recorded a sharp year-over-year increase in sales.
Originally, De Beers put the total for its first sales cycle of the year at $720 million but has revised that upward to $729 million, meaning the year-over-year increase was actually 34 percent.
Here’s
a chart tracking De Beers’ rough diamond sales since January 2016, when the company began making the information publicly available.
2016 2017 First sales cycle $545 million $729 million Second $617 million $545 million (provisional) Third $666 million Fourth $636 million Fifth $564 million Sixth $528 million Seventh $639 million Eighth $494 million Ninth $476 million Tenth $422 million
2016 2017 First sales cycle $545 million $729 million Second $617 million $545 million (provisional) Third $666 million Fourth $636 million Fifth $564 million Sixth $528 million Seventh $639 million Eighth $494 million Ninth $476 million Tenth $422 million
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
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.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
