MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
SourcingJun 26, 2019
Diamond Sales Down 33% in De Beers’ Latest Cycle
The diamond miner and marketer sold $390 million in rough to sightholders and via auction, compared with $581 million in the same period last year.
De Beers Group sold $390 million in rough diamonds to sightholders and via its auction platform in the fifth sales cycles of the year, compared with $581 million in the same period last year. (Photo credit: De Beers Group)
Gaborone, Botswana—De Beers sold $390 million in rough diamonds in its latest sales cycle, a 33 percent decline.
In a news release, CEO Bruce Cleaver blamed the double-digit drop on a “more challenging” retail environment in China and oversupply in the midstream while noting that demand in the United States remains “solid.”
But industry analyst Edahn Golan tweeted Tuesday that the decline in demand for diamonds was “global.”
De Beers as a bellwether for diamond jewelry sales: Not only that rough diamond sales by De Beers declined 33% last week, sales since the start of the year have fallen 18% in H1. This highlights a major decline in global diamond jewelry sales. pic.twitter.com/37Sy2kfYKP
— Edahn Golan (@edahn) June 25, 2019
De Beers’ most recent sales cycle was its fifth of the year, marking the halfway point of 2019.
To date, the diamond miner and marketer’s rough diamond sales have totaled $2.38 billion, down 18 percent year-over-year.
Here is a chart outlining De Beers’ sales so far in 2019.
2018 2019 First cycle $672 million $500 million Second $563 million $496 million Third $524 million $581 million Fourth $554 million $416 million Fifth $581 million $390 million (provisional) Sixth $533 million Seventh $503 million Eighth $482 million Ninth $442 million Tenth $544 million
Also this week, De Beers confirmed that it has changed the name of its grading lab from the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research, or IIDGR, to the simpler De Beers Group Industry Services.
In an email to National Jeweler Wednesday, De Beers’ David Johnson said the renaming makes things “clearer and simpler” for customers and makes it obvious that IIDGR is part of De Beers.
It will provide the following products and services: diamond grading (natural, untreated diamonds only); proprietary lab-grown diamond detection equipment under De Beers Group Technology; melee, parcel and set diamond verification services; and a range of diamond education courses under De Beers Group Institute of Diamonds.
De Beers Group Institute of Diamonds has three campuses, in Maidenhead in the United Kingdom; in Antwerp, Belgium; and Surat, India.
De Beers Group Industry Services has offices at each campus, while De Beers Group Technology develops its detection equipment at the Maidenhead campus only.
The renaming of IIDGR is part of a broader rebranding the company mentioned when discussing “DTC diamonds” earlier this year.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
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.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
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.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
