ALROSA Predicts Rising Demand and Diamond Prices in 2025

Russian diamond giant Alrosa

The high demand for jewelry and a decline of up to 20% in global diamond mining volumes compared to levels recorded 5-6 years ago will drive the industry’s growth, according to Sergey Takhiev, Head of Corporate Finance at Russian diamond giant Alrosa, reported by Rough&Polished.

According to Takhiev, while diamond prices are currently at a low point, demand is expected to grow due to a reduction in diamond inventories at manufacturing centers in India and a decline in diamond production volumes by major mining companies.

When asked about the timeline for market inventory replenishment, Takhiev estimated it would likely occur within a few months. He explained that the restocking of rough and polished diamond inventories is expected to impact the entire value chain, from manufacturers to retailers. Takhiev further emphasized that the depletion of global diamond resources, coupled with growing demand for luxury jewelry, is set to drive long-term price increases.

Meanwhile, ALROSA announced that the company’s Deputy CEO, Vladimir Marchenko, who has held the position since 2018, will step down to take on another role in the mining industry.

Source: DCLA

De Beers sitting on largest diamond inventory since 2008, FT reports

De Beers has reportedly built up its largest stockpile of diamonds since the 2008 financial crisis, with an inventory valued now at roughly $2 billion, according the Financial Times.

“It’s been a bad year for rough diamond sales,” De Beers chief executive Al Cook told the FT, though he did not provide additional details on its inventory.

The diamond giant has faced multiple headwinds in recent years. A slumping Chinese economy, in particular, has been a major drag on demand. Cheaper lab-grown diamonds are also adding pressure.

In a briefing to Bloomberg last year, Cook said his company has been building its stock on the assumption that diamond prices will recover, and that it will be able to sell that supply.

At the end of 2024, that hasn’t materialized. For the first half of this year, De Beers’ sales were down about 20% compared to the same time a year ago.

Still, Cook remains upbeat about a turnaround. “As we go independent, we have the freedom to focus on marketing as hard as we focused on mining,” he told the FT.

“This feels to me like the right time to be driving marketing and getting behind our brands and retail, even as we cut the capital and the spend on the mining side.”

However, a new report from McKinsey gave a less optimistic outlook for diamond miners, suggesting that lab-grown alternatives could one day take over the market.

Earlier this year, De Beers’ parent company Anglo American announced plans to spin off the diamond business either through a sale or an initial public offering.

Source: DCLA

Tiffany Buys Back Titanic Watch for Record $1.97m

Tiffany & Co paid a record $1.97m for a gold pocket watch it made in 1912, and which was gifted to the captain of a ship that rescued more than 700 passengers and crew from the Titanic.

The watch was sold by UK auction house Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd last month, but the buyer’s identity was not revealed at the time.

Tiffany & Co has now announced that it was behind the “record-breaking acquisition” – the highest price ever paid for an item of Titanic memorabilia.

The watch was a gift from three wealthy women who were saved by the passenger ship R.M.S. Carpathia as the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage, with the loss of over 1,500 lives. The recipient was Captain (later Sir) Arthur H. Rostron.

A ledger in The Tiffany Archives records that the watch was purchased by Mrs. G. D. Widener, one of the three women.

It is engraved with the inscription “Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic April 15th 1912, Mrs. John B. Thayer, Mrs. John Jacob Astor and Mrs. George D. Widener”.

The previous record for a Titanic-related object sold at auction was also a pocket watch, which sold for $1.485m earlier this year.

“The fact the world record price for Titanic memorabilia has been broken twice this year demonstrates the ever-decreasing supply and an ever-increasing demand for memorabilia related to the ship,” auctioneer Andrew Aldridge.

Source: DCLA

Yellow Diamond Toi et Moi Fetches US $240,000

A “toi et moi” ring featuring a 3.61 carat fancy vivid yellow, internally flawless, pear-shaped diamond sold for $254,000 at the Phillips New York Jewels Auction.

It beat its low estimate of $240,000 but fell short of its $300,000 high estimate.

The platinum ring (pictured) set with a 5.03 carat D Color, internally flawless pear-shaped white diamond as well as the yellow diamond and isaccented with brilliant-cut diamonds and similarly cut diamonds of yellow tint.

Overall 70 per cent of lots were sold (by number and by value) raising a total of $2.58m

The auction, on 13 December, featured 146 lots with a strong emphasis on colored diamonds and gemstones, antique-cut diamonds, and signed pieces from renowned makers.

Cristina Rodrigo, specialist and head of sale, jewels, New York, said there was “a great deal of participation from across the globe, leading to strong prices for important pieces spanning style and price points”.

Source: DCLA

Lucara names two largest diamonds found in 2024

2,492 CARAT DIAMOND

Lucara Diamond has unveiled the names chosen of the two largest diamonds recovered this year at its prolific Karowe mine in Botswana.

The 2,488 carat diamond found in August has been named Motswedi, meaning “water spring” or “the flow of underground water that surfaces to bring life and vitality” in the local Setswana language.

The 1,094 carat diamond recovered in September is now known as Seriti, which translates to “aura” or “presence” in Setswana. The name carries deep cultural significance, reflecting identity and legacy.

Lucara said the two diamonds were not just geological phenomena, but a testament to the “incredible potential” of Karowe and the company’s innovative approach to diamond recovery.

“Each stone tells a story millions of years in the making, and we are humbled to be the custodians of these remarkable gems as they prepare to enter the global market,” president and chief executive officer, William Lamb, said in the statement.

To honor the community’s involvement, Lucara awarded the winner of the Motswedi naming competition 100,000 Pula (about $7,325), while the winner for Seriti received 50,000 Pula ($3,660). Both winners will also be invited to tour the Karowe mine.

Lucara said it was considering sale options for both diamonds.

Motswedi and Seriti are two of six diamonds weighing more than 1,000 carat that Lucara has recovered at its Karowe mine since operations began. These include the 1,758-carat Sewelô in 2019, the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona in 2015, and the 813-carat Constellation, also in 2015.

Karowe is also credited for having yielded Botswana’s largest fancy pink diamond to date, the Boitumelo.

The mine remains one of the world’s highest-margin diamond mines, producing an average of 300,000 high-value carats each year.

Source: Mining.com

Burgundy Sales “Bode Well for Recovering Diamond Market”

Burgundy Diamond Mines reported an increase in prices but a dip in revenue from its Ekati mine, in Canada, during Q4.

Sales held in October and December raised $47m and $46m respectively (total $93m) the Australia-based company said today (17 December) in its interim sales report and company update. Average prices per carat were $80 and $106 (all figures US dollars).

Total proceeds for the previous quarter, Q3, were $118m, with average prices down to $83 per carat in what it described at the time as a “soft diamond market”.

Kim Truter, Burgundy’s CEO, said the results “bode well for a recovering diamond market”.

He said prices at the December sale reflected a higher quality parcel of goods sold, and said there had been gains in the mid to large size categories, relative to the October sale.

Burgundy bought the Ekati mine, 125 miles south of the Arctic Circle, in Northwest Territories, last June for $136m from the Arctic Canadian Diamond Company and plans to extend its life by developing underground operations.

“The company looks forward to reporting the results of its mine life extension work at the Sable underground project and the Misery underground operation, in addition to an updated Fox underground prefeasibility study, commencing in Q1-2025,” Burgundy said.

Source: DCLA

Botswana Diamonds uncovers new kimberlite targets using AI

Botswana Diamonds has analysed and evaluated nearly 400 000 km of airborne geophysical and other exploration data using AI techniques and powerful computing, which would otherwise have been too big for timely analysis by humans.

In particular, the company has identified seven significant kimberlite targets on existing licences that have not been reported before.

The AI programme has also revealed compelling polymetallic targets in areas that are currently unlicensed.

Work is ongoing on these new areas of interest which now focuses on four main deposit types and 11 subtypes. These deposit types include elements such as gold, copper, silver, nickel, zinc and platinum group metals.

Botswana Diamonds used UK-headquartered Planetary AI’s ‘Xplore’ mineral prospectivity platform to perform the detailed analysis.

Xplore Platform is software that enables targeting of any element based on a plethora of geological and topographic information.

Botswana Diamonds chairperson John Teeling comments that these discoveries, in a few short months, are a major step forward in mineral exploration. One anomaly is especially intriguing to the company and the AI programme has reinforced the company’s belief that more diamond mines will be discovered in Botswana.

The company currently operates three diamond mines in Botswana and it also holds assets in South Africa.

Source: DCLA