LUCAPA FINDS NEW ALLUVIAL SOURCE FOR LARGE DIAMONDS

Lucapa Diamond Company has found a new alluvial source of “large and premium value diamonds” at its Lulo diamond mine in Angola, according to press release.

Lucapa said that it has been exploring the extensive flood plains along the 50km stretch of Cacuilo River valley within the Lulo diamond concession, and found that they are host “to exceptional alluvial diamonds”.

The tested area yielded 17 Specials larger than 10 carats, including an exceptional 55 carat Type IIa D colour white. A total of 1,502 carats were recovered so far from 11,155 bulk cubic metres processed.

Lucapa said that it will continue testing “other flood plain areas at Lulo in parallel with alluvial mining activities in established areas”.
Source: DCLA

LUCAPA FINDS NEW ALLUVIAL SOURCE FOR LARGE DIAMONDS

Lucapa Diamond Company has found a new alluvial source of “large and premium value diamonds” at its Lulo diamond mine in Angola, according to press release.

Lucapa said that it has been exploring the extensive flood plains along the 50km stretch of Cacuilo River valley within the Lulo diamond concession, and found that they are host “to exceptional alluvial diamonds”.

The tested area yielded 17 Specials larger than 10 carats, including an exceptional 55 carat Type IIa D colour white. A total of 1,502 carats were recovered so far from 11,155 bulk cubic metres processed.

Lucapa said that it will continue testing “other flood plain areas at Lulo in parallel with alluvial mining activities in established areas”.
Source: DCLA

PRICES OF PINK AND BLUE DIAMONDS RISE IN Q3 2018

The recently published Fancy Color Diamond Index shows that in the third quarter of 2018, prices of fancy color blue and pink diamonds rose by 0.7% and 0.4% respectively in all sizes and saturation levels when compared to Q2 2018. When compared to Q3 2017, the index rose 0.4%; blue prices were up 5.9% and yellow and pink prices down by 1.6% and 0.5%, respectively.

According to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF), “overall fancy color diamond prices showed no significant change and increased by only 0.1%”. The only decrease was in yellow fancy color diamonds (-1%). The biggest increase was for Fancy vivid blue diamonds, which rose 8.5% in the past 12 months and 1.1% in Q3 2018. In the 1-carat category, prices of pink diamonds remained stable, blue diamonds rose 4.7%, yellow diamonds fell by 2.2%, and intense yellow 1 carat diamond prices rose 1.1%.

FCRF Advisory Board member Eden Rachminov said: “In my opinion, the price of fancy yellow is influenced by the general mood of many diamond traders that carry a mixed inventory of colorless and yellows. Due to the slowdown in the colorless business and to compensate in their general turnover, these traders slightly lower the prices of yellows”.

Source: israelidiamond.co.il

PRICES OF PINK AND BLUE DIAMONDS RISE IN Q3 2018

The recently published Fancy Color Diamond Index shows that in the third quarter of 2018, prices of fancy color blue and pink diamonds rose by 0.7% and 0.4% respectively in all sizes and saturation levels when compared to Q2 2018. When compared to Q3 2017, the index rose 0.4%; blue prices were up 5.9% and yellow and pink prices down by 1.6% and 0.5%, respectively.

According to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF), “overall fancy color diamond prices showed no significant change and increased by only 0.1%”. The only decrease was in yellow fancy color diamonds (-1%). The biggest increase was for Fancy vivid blue diamonds, which rose 8.5% in the past 12 months and 1.1% in Q3 2018. In the 1-carat category, prices of pink diamonds remained stable, blue diamonds rose 4.7%, yellow diamonds fell by 2.2%, and intense yellow 1 carat diamond prices rose 1.1%.

FCRF Advisory Board member Eden Rachminov said: “In my opinion, the price of fancy yellow is influenced by the general mood of many diamond traders that carry a mixed inventory of colorless and yellows. Due to the slowdown in the colorless business and to compensate in their general turnover, these traders slightly lower the prices of yellows”.

Source: israelidiamond.co.il

Diamond industry leaders collaborate to create Tracr blockchain platform

Alrosa has joined the collaborative programme being led by De Beers, Tracr, the end-to-end diamond industry blockchain traceability platform.

Alrosa will join industry leaders from the diamond manufacturing and retail sectors in creating the blockchain platform by the industry, for the industry.

Following the announcement of the Tracr pilot earlier this year, Alrosa’s involvement brings the world’s two largest diamond producers together to provide enhanced assurance for consumers and trade participants about the provenance and authenticity of their diamonds, and in creating a digital foundation for new services that can only be developed on an end-to-end platform.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, says:

“To provide true traceability, diamonds must be tracked from their point of production. We are delighted that Alrosa has joined the Tracr pilot, as the collective efforts of the world’s two leading diamond producers will enable more of the world’s diamonds to be tracked on their journey from mine to retail.

“Having a critical level of production on the platform will deliver significant benefits for consumers and diamond industry participants.”

Sergey Ivanov, CEO, Alrosa, says:

“Traceability is the key to further development of our market. It helps to ensure consumer confidence and fill information gaps, enabling people to enjoy the product without any doubts about ethical issues or undisclosed synthetics.

“Alrosa is glad to participate in testing Tracr, along with other market solutions. We believe tracing requires industry cooperation and complementation for the sake of a common goal.”

Jim Duffy, General Manager, Tracr, says:

“As Tracr’s adoption grows, we will continue to raise the bar for the traceability, authenticity and provenance of diamonds.

“We look forward to working with all members of the industry to ensure we deliver a comprehensive platform that creates value for diamond businesses while meeting the consumer’s expectations.”

Tracr is focused on providing consumers with confidence that registered diamonds are natural and conflict-free, improving visibility and trust within the industry and enhancing efficiencies across the diamond value chain.

In addition, Tracr will work to complement and support the diamond industry’s existing initiatives and regulations to ensure consumer confidence in diamonds, including the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, World Diamond Council System of Warranties and Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices.

Diamond industry leaders collaborate to create Tracr blockchain platform

Alrosa has joined the collaborative programme being led by De Beers, Tracr, the end-to-end diamond industry blockchain traceability platform.

Alrosa will join industry leaders from the diamond manufacturing and retail sectors in creating the blockchain platform by the industry, for the industry.

Following the announcement of the Tracr pilot earlier this year, Alrosa’s involvement brings the world’s two largest diamond producers together to provide enhanced assurance for consumers and trade participants about the provenance and authenticity of their diamonds, and in creating a digital foundation for new services that can only be developed on an end-to-end platform.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, says:

“To provide true traceability, diamonds must be tracked from their point of production. We are delighted that Alrosa has joined the Tracr pilot, as the collective efforts of the world’s two leading diamond producers will enable more of the world’s diamonds to be tracked on their journey from mine to retail.

“Having a critical level of production on the platform will deliver significant benefits for consumers and diamond industry participants.”

Sergey Ivanov, CEO, Alrosa, says:

“Traceability is the key to further development of our market. It helps to ensure consumer confidence and fill information gaps, enabling people to enjoy the product without any doubts about ethical issues or undisclosed synthetics.

“Alrosa is glad to participate in testing Tracr, along with other market solutions. We believe tracing requires industry cooperation and complementation for the sake of a common goal.”

Jim Duffy, General Manager, Tracr, says:

“As Tracr’s adoption grows, we will continue to raise the bar for the traceability, authenticity and provenance of diamonds.

“We look forward to working with all members of the industry to ensure we deliver a comprehensive platform that creates value for diamond businesses while meeting the consumer’s expectations.”

Tracr is focused on providing consumers with confidence that registered diamonds are natural and conflict-free, improving visibility and trust within the industry and enhancing efficiencies across the diamond value chain.

In addition, Tracr will work to complement and support the diamond industry’s existing initiatives and regulations to ensure consumer confidence in diamonds, including the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, World Diamond Council System of Warranties and Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices.

Shift to Larger Diamonds Boosts Alrosa

Alrosa’s sales increased in the third quarter amid stronger demand and a move toward larger diamonds, the miner reported.

Revenue from rough stones rose 12% year on year to $949 million for the three months ending September 30, the Russian company said Monday. While sales volume fell 11% to 6.7 million carats, the average price grew 26% to $142 per carat. Prices have climbed 5.2% since the beginning of the year on a like-for-like basis, it added.

“Average realised prices for rough, gem quality diamonds grew, driven by both general demand growth and a higher share of large diamonds,” the miner explained.

Meanwhile, polished-diamond sales surged 83% to $24.1 million.

Production grew 2% to 10.5 million carats during the quarter as the miner increased ore processing at its Jubilee pipe, and raised output at the Udachny and Severalmaz divisions.

In the first nine months of the year, revenue from rough stones improved 9% to $3.59 billion, and polished revenue increased 9% to $74 million. By volume, sales for the period fell 9% to 29.1 million carats. Production dropped 11% to 26.4 million carats due to the shutdown of the miner’s Mir asset and the termination of open-pit mining at the Udachnaya pipe, Alrosa said.

Alrosa has offered some of its inventory for sale over the past year to offset the lower production. As a result, its stockpiles have decreased 11% to 15.5 million carats as of September 30, compared with a year earlier.

Alrosa maintained its forecast of an 8% decline in production to 36.6 million carats this year, compared with 39.6 million carats last year.

Image: Rough diamonds on a grader’s table. (Alrosa)

Source: diamonds.net