TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
SourcingSep 19, 2018
De Beers Sales Flatline, Alrosa’s Climb
The strongest demand is at the top end of the market, with De Beers allowing sightholders to hold off on buying lower-value rough for now.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales totaled $505 million in its most recent round of sightholder and auction sales, while rival Alrosa reported August sales of $294.9 million, a figure that includes rough and polished diamonds.
New York—The strongest demand for diamonds is coming from the top end of the market currently, with De Beers allowing sightholders to defer on lower-end goods.
The diamond miner and marketer’s most recent sightholder and auction sales totaled $505 million, slightly below the $507 million sold in the same period last year. (The $505 million, it should be noted, is a provisional figure that likely will be revised upward.)
De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver said at this most recent sight, the company gave sightholders the chance to “re-phase the allocation” of lower-value rough diamonds, meaning it let buyers put off on buying smaller stones for now.
He described rough diamond demand as “stable” ahead of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which was held last week but cut one day short after Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into Hong Kong in the midst of the show.
The figure for sightholder and auction sales for the sixth sales cycle, released last month, was revised upward from $530 million to $533 million.
Alrosa, meanwhile, reported year-over-year increases in diamond sales for both the month of August and year-to-date.
The Moscow-based diamond miner sold $294.9 million in diamonds last month—$283.2 million in rough and $11.7 million in polished—a 14 percent year-over-year increase.
In January through August, Alrosa’s sales grew 9 percent year-over-year to $3.32 billion, $3.26 billion in rough and the remaining $67 million in polished.
Deputy CEO for Sales Yury Okoemov said demand for diamonds continues to be positive and is stable across Alrosa’s entire range of diamonds, with higher-priced rough diamonds performing best.
RELATED CONTENT: Alrosa Holds First Sale of Natural Color Diamonds in HKHe said the company maintains a “moderately positive” outlook for the remainder of 2018. Longer term, the growing demand for diamond jewelry in the world’s three main markets, the United States, China and India, will continue to support the industry, he said.
Here is a chart showing the year-over-year comparison for De Beers’ rough diamond sales so far this year. The diamond miner and marketer’s 2018 sales are pacing about 2 percent behind last year’s at $3.93 billion to date.
2017 2018 First sales cycle $729 million $672 million Second $553 million $563 million Third
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
$586 million
$524 million
Fourth
$522 million
$554 million
Fifth
$541 million
$581 million
Sixth
$576 million
$533 million
Seventh
$507 million
$505 million (provisional)
Eighth
$376 million
Ninth
$466 million
Tenth
$455 million
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
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.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
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.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
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.
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.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
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.
