Gem Diamonds first half year profits drop 75 percent compared to 2018

Gem Diamonds published its results for the first half of 2019, reporting a revenue of $91.3 million, compared to $167.7 million during the first half of 2018.

The miner’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) stood at 25.3 million, compared to 70.7 million in 2018. Its attributable profit, from continuing operations was $6.6 million against $26.8 million in 2018.

The considerable fall in income and profits also had its impact on the basic earnings per share: 4.8 US cents from continuing operations , opposite 19.4 US cents in 2018.

Commenting on the company’s results, Clifford Elphick, Chief Executive of Gem Diamonds, said:

“Letseng achieved $ 1,697 per carat for the period with the sale of the 13.32 carat pink diamond achieving a Letseng record of $ 656,934 per carat, reaffirming the unique quality of Letseng’s diamond production.

The prices achieved for the period are 10 percent up from the prices achieved in the preceding six month period, notwithstanding the planned limited contribution from the Satellite pipe ore and current diamond market conditions.

The Group has successfully implemented the business transformation program, already achieving $42 million net of fees, and is on track to deliver the planned $100 million in cost savings and efficiencies by 2021.”

Source: DCLA

Gem Diamonds first half year profits drop 75 percent compared to 2018

Gem Diamonds published its results for the first half of 2019, reporting a revenue of $91.3 million, compared to $167.7 million during the first half of 2018.

The miner’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) stood at 25.3 million, compared to 70.7 million in 2018. Its attributable profit, from continuing operations was $6.6 million against $26.8 million in 2018.

The considerable fall in income and profits also had its impact on the basic earnings per share: 4.8 US cents from continuing operations , opposite 19.4 US cents in 2018.

Commenting on the company’s results, Clifford Elphick, Chief Executive of Gem Diamonds, said:

“Letseng achieved $ 1,697 per carat for the period with the sale of the 13.32 carat pink diamond achieving a Letseng record of $ 656,934 per carat, reaffirming the unique quality of Letseng’s diamond production.

The prices achieved for the period are 10 percent up from the prices achieved in the preceding six month period, notwithstanding the planned limited contribution from the Satellite pipe ore and current diamond market conditions.

The Group has successfully implemented the business transformation program, already achieving $42 million net of fees, and is on track to deliver the planned $100 million in cost savings and efficiencies by 2021.”

Source: DCLA

China Slowdown Weighing on Diamond Prices

Diamond markets were quiet in August, with dealers taking their summer vacations amid uncertainty about the important Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. Demand from China slowed due to an escalation of the US-China trade war, protests in Hong Kong, and the depreciation of the yuan.

Diamond prices continued to soften, with the RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1 carat down 0.4% during the month.

RapNet Diamond Index

Expectations are low for the Hong Kong fair, which begins on September 16. Suppliers are anticipating weak buyer attendance as demonstrations continue to affect commerce in the city.

Jewelry retail sales in Hong Kong have declined as Chinese tourists have shifted to spending locally rather than abroad. Luxury shoppers were put off by the protests as well as the 4% depreciation of the yuan against the dollar in August. The devalued yuan puts additional pressure on diamond prices for local importers.

The drop in Chinese demand has made it difficult for diamond manufacturers to rebalance their inventory, since sales have fallen more than supply in certain categories. Cutters have significantly reduced polished production. The number of diamonds on RapNet declined by 2.5% in the past month to 1.5 million as of September 1.

Manufacturers refused about 50% of De Beers’ supply in August as the miner adopted a more flexible sales policy amid the difficult market conditions. De Beers kept its prices stable.

Rough prices need to come down to restore manufacturing profitability. Rough sales are expected to be small again in September, with manufacturers limiting their purchases until after Diwali, which begins October 27. Inventory levels should go down as US jewelers stock up for the holiday season. The challenge then will be to buy only profitable rough so as to ensure a more viable trade in 2020.

Source: DCLA

China Slowdown Weighing on Diamond Prices

Diamond markets were quiet in August, with dealers taking their summer vacations amid uncertainty about the important Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. Demand from China slowed due to an escalation of the US-China trade war, protests in Hong Kong, and the depreciation of the yuan.

Diamond prices continued to soften, with the RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1 carat down 0.4% during the month.

RapNet Diamond Index

Expectations are low for the Hong Kong fair, which begins on September 16. Suppliers are anticipating weak buyer attendance as demonstrations continue to affect commerce in the city.

Jewelry retail sales in Hong Kong have declined as Chinese tourists have shifted to spending locally rather than abroad. Luxury shoppers were put off by the protests as well as the 4% depreciation of the yuan against the dollar in August. The devalued yuan puts additional pressure on diamond prices for local importers.

The drop in Chinese demand has made it difficult for diamond manufacturers to rebalance their inventory, since sales have fallen more than supply in certain categories. Cutters have significantly reduced polished production. The number of diamonds on RapNet declined by 2.5% in the past month to 1.5 million as of September 1.

Manufacturers refused about 50% of De Beers’ supply in August as the miner adopted a more flexible sales policy amid the difficult market conditions. De Beers kept its prices stable.

Rough prices need to come down to restore manufacturing profitability. Rough sales are expected to be small again in September, with manufacturers limiting their purchases until after Diwali, which begins October 27. Inventory levels should go down as US jewelers stock up for the holiday season. The challenge then will be to buy only profitable rough so as to ensure a more viable trade in 2020.

Source: DCLA

Botswana Diamonds identifies five targets likely to be kimberlites

The targets identified are very similar to the pipe that constituted the high-grade and famous De Beers Marsfontein mine, in so much as the pipe had little surface indication due to dolerite rock cover but grew and swelled below the dolerite.

Much of the Thorny River area geology is comprised of a dolerite dyke swarm.

John Teeling, chairman, comments:

“It has long been held that there should be high grade kimberlite pipes other than the Marsfontein mine in the Thorny River area.

“The geology made discovery difficult. New geophysical technology tries to see through the dense dolerite cover.

“The company pioneering the work, Subterrane, believe they have identified five targets likely to be kimberlites.

“We are working to better define where to drill. The targets are shallow so will not be expensive to drill”.

Conventional geophysical techniques have been unable to detect kimberlites under the dolerite including those that are deeper seated. Subterrane, a partner using its proprietary technology, enables the company to explore geophysical anomalies beneath the dolerite and those that are buried.

This could lead to the discovery of kimberlites similar to Marsfontein.

Thus far Subterrane has identified five such target areas within the Thorny River project.

Source: DCLA

Botswana Diamonds identifies five targets likely to be kimberlites

The targets identified are very similar to the pipe that constituted the high-grade and famous De Beers Marsfontein mine, in so much as the pipe had little surface indication due to dolerite rock cover but grew and swelled below the dolerite.

Much of the Thorny River area geology is comprised of a dolerite dyke swarm.

John Teeling, chairman, comments:

“It has long been held that there should be high grade kimberlite pipes other than the Marsfontein mine in the Thorny River area.

“The geology made discovery difficult. New geophysical technology tries to see through the dense dolerite cover.

“The company pioneering the work, Subterrane, believe they have identified five targets likely to be kimberlites.

“We are working to better define where to drill. The targets are shallow so will not be expensive to drill”.

Conventional geophysical techniques have been unable to detect kimberlites under the dolerite including those that are deeper seated. Subterrane, a partner using its proprietary technology, enables the company to explore geophysical anomalies beneath the dolerite and those that are buried.

This could lead to the discovery of kimberlites similar to Marsfontein.

Thus far Subterrane has identified five such target areas within the Thorny River project.

Source: DCLA

MOST DIVORCEES HOLD ONTO THEIR OLD ENGAGEMENT RINGS

63% of the women are still holding onto their old engagement ring while dating

A new survey by Worthy.com, an online auction marketplace for pre-owned diamond jewellery, has revealed some interesting trends among American women who have and are going through divorce.

According to the survey, conducted among 1,700 female participants from across the country, 78% are already in dating mindset before divorce papers are signed. Even more interestingly, 63% of the women are still holding onto their engagement ring, and dating. 68% of the women feel “scared, but also excited and hopeful, while 40% feel confident” when dating.

Diamond engagement ring

90% of the women said that values, emotional availability, lifestyle, marital status and sexual compatibility were top priorities in a new companion.

According to the most recent Wedding Report, released earlier this year and based on 6,792 survey samples collected from January 1 to December 31, 2018, couples’ spending on weddings went down 4%, totaling $24,723 on average. Although most categories went down, jewellery-related spending remained relatively unchanged from 2017.

Average spending on engagement rings went down only 0.4% year-on-year, averaging $3,388 in 2018. Average spending on wedding rings/bands for her went slightly down (0.9%), averaging $775 in 2018. Average spending on wedding rings/bands for him remained almost flat (-0.2%), averaging $454 in 2018.

Source: DCLA