Halle Berry Follows Celebrity Trend for Vintage Diamonds

 

Halle Berry shifted the focus back to vintage diamonds with her latest engagement ring.

The US actress, producer, and former beauty queen showed off her bezel-cut diamond on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as she confirmed her engagement to the singer/songwriter Van Hunt.

Berry, 59, is the latest celebrity to opt for a vintage stone, following in the well-publicized footsteps of Taylor Swift.

The two rings are, however, starkly different, in style, price and likely influence on the diamond market.

Swift’s engagement ring, presented to her by NFL player Travis Kelce, sparked a huge media buzz last August and has boosted long-term demand for antique cuts by as much as 200 per cent.

The ring featured featuring a large (somewhere between 7 carats and 10-carats) elongated old mine cut diamond in yellow gold designed by Kindred Lubeck.

Berry’s ring has a far smaller center stone (1.5 carat to 3.0 carat) set with dark accent stones – onyx or sapphire – in an 18k yellow gold geometric setting. It is priced in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars, rather than the estimated million or so for Swift.

The trend toward vintage engagement rings reflects a cultural shift that prizes authenticity, personalization, and heirloom appeal over mass-produced modern brilliants.

Berry has been married three times before, to baseball player David Justice (1993-1997), musician Eric Benet (2001-2005), and actor Olivier Martinez (2013-2016). She’s been with Hunt since April 2020.

Source: DCLA

What Is a Diamond? Natural vs Laboratory-Grown – Structure, Science and Pricing

 

A diamond is a solid form of the element carbon in which the atoms are arranged in a crystal structure known as diamond cubic. In this structure, each carbon atom is bonded to four others in a rigid tetrahedral arrangement (sp³ bonding), forming one of the strongest natural materials known.

In its pure form, diamond is:

• Colourless
• Odourless and tasteless
• Extremely hard
• A poor conductor of electricity
• Insoluble in water
• Chemically inert under most conditions

Although graphite is the stable form of carbon at room temperature and pressure, diamond is metastable and converts to graphite at an almost negligible rate over geological time.

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The Physical and Optical Properties of Diamond

Diamond possesses extraordinary properties:

• Highest hardness of any natural material (Mohs 10)
• Highest thermal conductivity of any natural substance
• Extremely high refractive index (~2.42)
• High optical dispersion, creating the “fire” in gemstones
• Very low thermal expansion
• Exceptional chemical resistance
• High electrical resistance

Because the crystal lattice is extremely rigid, only very small amounts of impurities can enter the structure. These trace elements or structural defects create colour:

• Nitrogen → Yellow
• Boron → Blue
• Crystal defects → Brown
• Radiation exposure → Green
• Plastic deformation → Pink, red, purple

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How Natural Diamonds Form

Most natural diamonds are between 1 and 3.5 billion years old.

They formed deep within the Earth’s mantle at depths of 150–250 km, and occasionally as deep as 800 km, under extreme pressure and temperature. Carbon-bearing fluids replaced minerals with crystallised carbon.

They were later transported rapidly to the surface via volcanic eruptions and deposited in igneous rocks known as:

• Kimberlite
• Lamproite

Historically, diamonds were first mined in ancient India along the Penner, Krishna and Godavari rivers, and have been known for at least 3,000 years.

The word diamond comes from the Ancient Greek “adámas”, meaning unbreakable or invincible.

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The Discovery That Diamond Is Carbon

In 1772, Antoine Lavoisier demonstrated that when a diamond burns in oxygen, it produces carbon dioxide.

Later, in 1797, Smithson Tennant proved that diamond and graphite release the same gas when burned, confirming that both are forms (allotropes) of pure carbon.

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Laboratory-Grown Diamonds

Synthetic diamonds are created using two main methods:

1. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)

Replicates natural mantle conditions using pressures above 5 GPa and temperatures above 1,300°C.

2. CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition)

Carbon-rich gases are broken down in a plasma chamber, allowing carbon atoms to deposit layer by layer onto a diamond seed crystal.

Chemically, physically and optically, laboratory-grown diamonds are the same as natural diamonds. Both are pure carbon in the diamond cubic structure.

They are distinguished using advanced gemmological techniques such as:

• Spectroscopy
• Growth pattern analysis
• Inclusion study
• Thermal conductivity testing

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Hardness, Toughness and Durability

Diamond is the hardest known natural material, but it is not indestructible.

• It has excellent resistance to scratching.
• It has cleavage planes, meaning it can split if struck in certain directions.
• Toughness (resistance to breakage) is good for a ceramic but lower than many metals.

Its durability makes it ideal for engagement rings and daily wear jewellery.

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Natural vs Laboratory-Grown Diamonds: Pricing Comparison (2026 Market Overview)

Although structurally identical, pricing between natural and lab-grown diamonds differs dramatically due to rarity and supply dynamics.

Natural Diamonds

• Finite geological supply
• Mining costs, exploration, labour and environmental compliance
• Graded and traded based on rarity
• Price stability linked to long-term scarcity

In today’s market, a high-quality 1.00 carat natural diamond (G colour, VS clarity) typically trades wholesale in the range of USD $4,500–$7,000, depending on cut quality and certification.

Premium stones (D–F colour, IF–VVS clarity) command significantly higher prices.

Laboratory-Grown Diamonds

• Mass-producible in controlled environments
• Increasing global production capacity
• Rapid technological efficiency gains
• No geological rarity

The same 1.00 carat equivalent (G colour, VS clarity) laboratory-grown diamond now trades between USD $300–$600.

Retail prices decline as production scales.

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Why the Price Gap Exists

The key difference is not chemistry — it is rarity and supply economics.

Natural diamonds:

• Formed over billions of years
• Limited global deposits
• High capital-intensive extraction

Laboratory diamonds:

• Manufactured within weeks
• Scalable production
• Compete with industrial cost structures

As production increases, laboratory diamond pricing behaves more like a manufactured product than a rare natural asset.

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Investment and Resale Considerations

Natural diamonds retain secondary market value more effectively due to:

• Limited supply
• Established global trading networks
• Long-term historical demand

Laboratory-grown diamonds currently have minimal resale value in secondary markets due to continuous price decline and expanding supply.

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A diamond, whether natural or laboratory-grown, is one of nature’s most extraordinary materials — a crystal of pure carbon arranged in a tetrahedral lattice that produces unmatched hardness, brilliance and thermal conductivity.

However, while they are chemically identical, their market dynamics are fundamentally different.

Natural diamonds derive value from geological rarity and billions of years of formation.

Laboratory-grown diamonds derive value from technology, efficiency and accessibility.

Understanding this distinction is essential for anyone buying, selling or investing in diamonds today.

Source: DCLA

Natural Diamond Engagement Ring Prices Surge in the US – What Australian Buyers Need to Know

 

The average price of a natural diamond engagement ring in the United States rose by 9 per cent to US$7,346 in 2025, according to the Natural Diamond Council (NDC). In its latest report, Natural Diamond Trends: A 2025 Overview, the NDC notes that the average centre stone size increased by 5 per cent to 1.16 carats, reflecting continued consumer preference for larger, statement diamonds.

Round brilliant diamonds maintained their dominant position, accounting for 62 per cent of all engagement ring sales, unchanged from the previous year. Oval cuts eased slightly to 14 per cent, down from 16 per cent, while long fancy shapes such as marquise and cushion continued to gain traction. SI1 clarity was the most commonly purchased grade, although the report did not specify the leading colour category.

Diamond engagement rings — including complete rings, loose centre stones and bridal semi-mounts — represented 38 per cent of all natural diamond jewellery sales by volume in 2025. The data, compiled by Tenoris from more than four million anonymised point-of-sale transactions across 2,500 US specialty retailers, highlights a market driven by quality upgrades and larger stones. Across the broader natural diamond jewellery category, the 2.00–2.24 carat and 1.50–1.59 carat segments recorded the fastest unit sales growth, contributing to a 10 per cent rise in average jewellery prices. Seasonal gifting periods — notably November and December, together with Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day — accounted for 46 per cent of annual diamond jewellery volume.

How does this compare with Australia?

In Australia, the average spend on a natural diamond engagement ring is generally lower than in the US, typically ranging between AUD $5,000 and AUD $8,000 depending on city, retailer positioning and diamond specifications. While the Australian market also shows strong demand for round brilliant cuts, there has been a noticeable shift toward oval and elongated fancy shapes, particularly among younger buyers seeking distinctive designs.

From a grading perspective, Australian consumers — particularly those purchasing through independent jewellers and specialist laboratories such as Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA) — tend to place strong emphasis on accurate certification, cut quality and value retention. Carat weights commonly centre around the 1.00 to 1.20 carat range, closely mirroring US trends, although there remains a solid market for well-cut diamonds just under key weight thresholds (e.g. 0.90–0.99 carats) where value optimisation is a priority.

Overall, the US data confirms a global pattern: consumers are gravitating toward larger stones, higher specifications and enduring classic shapes. In Australia, while total average spend remains slightly below US levels when adjusted for currency, the qualitative trends — preference for natural diamonds, round brilliants and milestone gifting seasons — remain closely aligned with international markets.

Source: DCLA

Diamond Slowdown: Expansion at Gahcho Kue is "Paused"

 

Mountain Province Diamonds (MPD) say it has “paused” plans for a key expansion that would have prolonged the life of its Gahcho Kue mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

MPD, together with De Beers, its joint venture partner, say “current market conditions” are to blame.

In a corporate update published on 13 February they say plans for Tuzo Phase 3, an open pit project targeting high-value kimberlite, is being put on hold.

Planning and early studies have been completed, but major physical development has not yet started.

“The partners remain committed to responsibly managing operations at the Mine and will continue to monitor market conditions to determine the optimal timing for any future development of the Tuzo Phase 3 project,” MPD said in the update.

The postponement will not impact production or sales in 2026, it said, as mining continues at the NEX pipe.

MPD is due to issue its Q4 2025 production and sales figures later this week, along with its guidance for 2026.

Postponing Tuzo Phase 3 avoids major capital expenditure but could shorten the life of the mine.

MPD must meet its 49 per cent share of joint venture cash calls totaling CAD 49.2m (USD 36.1m) for Gahcho Kue operations, with the first payment due next month

The project was designed to sustain operations from roughly 2027 through 2030, with ore processing extending to 2031, building on earlier plans that already pushed the mine life to 2031 via pit optimizations.

Source: DCLA

Love that lasts: natural diamonds continue to win hearts, with 2.1% growth in speciality jeweller sales

 

Diamonds embody enduring love, making them the natural choice for marking a relationship. In 2025, the average price of natural diamond jewellery grew by 10%, reflecting demand for the rare, precious stones. Consumers continue to value diamonds for their unique qualities, natural origins and timeless versatility as a symbol of life’s most cherished moments and enduring legacy. Valentine’s Day is expected to be sparkly this year!

Released today, 12 February 2026, by the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) in partnership with Tenoris, the Natural Diamond Trends: A 2025 Overview report uncovers U.S. consumer preferences in natural diamond jewellery. It provides an overview of 2025 that reveals the styles, qualities and buying occasions that will shape the diamond jewellery industry in the coming years. To create this report, NDC used data collated by Tenoris from over four million jewellery transactions by 2,500 speciality jewellers across the US.

The ultimate Valentine’s Gift: natural diamonds

The report found that in 2025, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day accounted for 16% of annual sales of natural diamonds. In 2026, natural diamonds are set to bring just as much sparkle to special occasions.

Over the next two years, the love for natural diamonds is only expected to grow. The report takes insights from the De Beers commissioned US Natural Diamond Tracker Study 2025 conducted by Ipsos, which found that more than 40% of women and 50% of men anticipated to purchase or receive natural diamond jewellery in the next 24 months.

“Together, Gen Z and Millennials now represent the majority of diamond jewellery demand globally — and they are the most influential force shaping the future of the category. With the current emphasis on personal expression and bespoke details, consumers have more ways than ever to choose a piece that reflects a shared story. In a world of replication and simulation, emotion is what makes natural diamonds irreplaceable,” says Amber Pepper, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council.

Their versatility in both subtle everyday pieces or dramatic showstoppers means they work for every style. The Pinterest Predicts 2026 report supports the view that individuality will drive demand for unique jewellery designs and vintage-inspired pieces. It highlights nostalgia and self-expression as key themes.

In 2025, the average total carat weight for jewellery sold on Valentine’s Day was 0.59 carats, with round brilliants the favourite shape and non-bridal rings the top category. Engagement jewellery also plays a meaningful role: Valentine’s Day marks the close of the US engagement season, with 47% of couples getting engaged between November and February, according to The Knot.

Engagement ring trends

For those getting engaged around Valentine’s Day, it’s likely the natural diamond will be a round brilliant in shape. They made up 62% of diamond engagement unit sales in US, according to the report.

Through 2025, an array of celebrity engagements also showcased a range of personalised settings, as well as use of fancy shapes. The likes of Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Georgina Rodriguez and Zendaya all revealed sparking elongated shaped diamonds for their engagement rings. The classic, elongated marquise shape saw a 12% year-on-year growth, and with many celebrity endorsements through 2025, it is likely to remain in high esteem through 2026 and beyond.

“Natural diamonds have been around for billions of years and adored by people for millennia. Formed by time. carried by nature. chosen to mark life’s most profound moments. Not only are they here to stay, but the trend is for iconic natural diamonds that will capture attention, win hearts, and help us express ourselves with authenticity,” adds Amber Pepper.

Read about these natural diamond consumer trends and more in the NDC report release today, Natural Diamond Trends: A 2025 Overview.

Download the report here: naturaldiamonds.com

About the Natural Diamond Council  

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to inspiring and educating consumers on the real, rare and responsible values of natural diamonds and the positive global impact of the industry. Our Only Natural Diamonds platform is the authoritative publisher on all things natural diamonds including myth-busting facts, celebrities and pop culture, epic diamonds and jewellery trends, engagements and weddings, and diamond buying guides. In addition, we provide marketing, promotional, and educational services to brands, designers and retailers, encouraging them to amplify the values and integrity of natural diamonds. 

NDC is a global organisation whose members’ operations span four continents and 10 countries including Canada, South Africa and Botswana. Their operations support the livelihood of 10 million people worldwide.  

NDC operates out of offices in New York, Shanghai, Mumbai and Antwerp, with satellite teams in the UK and France. 

Source: DCLA

Botswana's State-owned diamond company turns to contract sales to manage tough market

 

Botswana’s State-owned Okavango Diamond Company plans to increase the share of diamonds it sells to contracted buyers as a way to navigate a depressed global diamond market, acting MD Lipalese Makepe said on Wednesday.

Contract diamond sales are more predictable compared with auctions and tenders that are highly competitive and often lead to price volatility.

Surplus supplies, falling demand and the rising popularity of lab-grown diamonds have weighed on rough diamond prices in recent years. Economic slowdown has also led to reduced diamond sales.

Until last year, the state diamond marketing company mainly sold its gems through auctions and tenders because a clause in Botswana’s contract with De Beers had prevented Okavango Diamond Company from directly competing with it.

CONTRACT SALES BEGAN WITH A PILOT LATE LAST YEAR
ODC was able to begin contract sales after the Botswanan government signed a new agreement with De Beers in February 2025.

“We piloted the contracts in November and December with an average of 14 customers,” Makepe told Reuters on the sidelines of an African mining conference in Cape Town. The number of contracted customers has risen to 32, she added.

“We plan to sell about 50% of our Debswana allocation by value,” she added, referring to ODC’s allocation of production from Botswana’s diamond mining company. Initially the plan was to sell 40% by contract.

Makepe said the balance of its allocation will be sold through the normal ten auctions a year and strategic partners as well as citizen-owned companies.

ODC could also pursue special auctions, Makepe said, despite last year’s inconclusive attempt.

The company sold about three-million carats in 2025 from over four-million carats of its allocated supply, according to Makepe, and 2026 sales are likely to be in the same range in line with their allocation from Debswana.

ODC’s rough diamond allocation from Debswana – Botswana’s joint venture with De Beers – increased to 30% from 25% and will reach 40% at the end of the 10-year agreement.

De Beers, the world’s largest diamond company by value, is a unit of Anglo American, which has been seeking to sell it ahead of its mega merger with Canadian miner Teck Resources.

Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad, also speaking on the sidelines of the Indaba conference, told Reuters he was prioritising the sale, most likely to a consortium given the lack of big strategic diamond players in the current market.

Source: DCLA

Tiffany & Co. Honours Jean Schlumberger’s Legacy with the Launch of the Enamel Watch

 

At January’s LVMH Watch Week, Tiffany & Co. unveiled a striking new chapter in its modern horological journey with the launch of the Tiffany & Co. Enamel Watch—a jewellery-inspired timepiece that celebrates the enduring legacy of legendary designer Jean Schlumberger.

The presentation highlighted the renewed momentum behind Tiffany’s watchmaking since the 2021 appointments of Anthony Ledru, President and CEO, and Nicolas Beau, Vice President of Tiffany Horlogerie. Together, they bring decades of experience from esteemed maisons such as Chanel and Cartier, redefining Tiffany’s position at the intersection of high jewellery and fine watchmaking.

A Watch Rooted in Jewellery Heritage

Among the women’s timepieces presented—though, as Beau himself demonstrates, Tiffany watches transcend gender—the Enamel Watch stands apart for its direct lineage to Tiffany’s jewellery archives. The design draws inspiration from Schlumberger’s iconic Croisillon bangle, first introduced in the early 1960s and renowned for its bold use of colour, texture and visual rhythm.

Jean Schlumberger, who began designing for Tiffany & Co. in the 1950s, revolutionised modern jewellery by treating colour and surface decoration as expressive elements rather than embellishments. In 1962, he revived the rare paillonné enamel technique—a 19th-century craft involving the layering of hand-cut gold or silver leaf beneath translucent enamel. The result was jewellery that was unapologetically vibrant, designed to be stacked, seen and celebrated.

Translating Paillonné Enamel into Watchmaking

The Enamel Watch translates this expressive jewellery language directly onto the wrist. Its dial is composed of two distinct elements: a fixed, diamond-set central disc and a rotating outer enamel ring that echoes the Croisillon bangle. The signature 12 cross-stitch motifs, rendered in yellow gold, are not static hour markers. Instead, they move freely with the wearer’s motion, introducing a subtle yet playful sense of visual disruption—an approach entirely in keeping with Schlumberger’s wit and design philosophy.

There is deep historical precedent for this craftsmanship. Tiffany & Co. has produced enamelled objects since the late 19th century, including watches, chatelaines and table clocks. Paillonné enamel, however, occupies an especially rarefied position within this tradition. Nearly lost by the mid-20th century, the technique is now practised by only a handful of specialists worldwide.

For the Enamel Watch, the enamel ring alone requires approximately 55 hours of meticulous hand decoration. Gold elements are added only after the enamel work is complete, with the piece undergoing multiple firings to achieve its remarkable depth of colour and luminosity.

Cultural Significance and Modern Execution

Schlumberger’s Croisillon bangles were more than decorative objects; they were cultural symbols. Worn by icons such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, they helped cement Tiffany & Co.’s position at the crossroads of American elegance and European craftsmanship. This lineage is central to the Enamel Watch’s identity. Rather than borrowing decorative techniques from contemporary watchmaking, Tiffany places timekeeping firmly within a jewellery tradition that predates much of the modern luxury watch industry.

Mechanically, the watch employs a high-precision quartz movement, a deliberate and pragmatic choice aligned with the piece’s purpose. This is not a watch designed to showcase complications, but one that prioritises visual artistry through enamel, diamonds and gold. A discreet push-button time adjustment integrated into the caseback preserves the purity of the silhouette, while extensive diamond setting across the case, dial and clasp reflects Tiffany’s mastery of its core métiers.

A Distinct Voice within the LVMH Portfolio

The Tiffany & Co. Enamel Watch stands apart even among its LVMH stablemates. It is neither a technical showcase nor a volume-driven release. Instead, it serves as a reminder that Tiffany’s watchmaking heritage is rooted not in complications or manufacture status, but in the creation of objects designed to be worn, admired and remembered.

For collectors and connoisseurs alike, the Enamel Watch is a compelling expression of Tiffany & Co.’s unique ability to unite high jewellery craftsmanship with contemporary horology—while remaining unmistakably true to its historic identity.

Source: DCLA