On April 8, the global diamond industry will come together with a single, unified voice to celebrate the enduring value of natural diamonds, as part of the inaugural World Diamond Day initiative led by the Natural Diamond Council (NDC).
Led by the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), the initiative brings the trade together with a unified message celebrating the enduring value of natural diamonds. By aligning listings with storytelling—from engagements and heirlooms to mine-to-market journeys and craftsmanship—members can drive deeper engagement across both trade and emerging consumer channels.
The launch follows the innovation of the YourPtoof.id Diamond Token and the NDC’s recent partnership with DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), signalling stronger global alignment around marketing, positioning, and demand generation for natural diamonds.
GET encourages all members to participate—go to the World Diamond Day section of NDC’s site, grab the official logo, and post a story about natural diamonds to social media, using #naturaldiamonds or #worlddiamondday as a hashtag.
Wholesale Stable / Auctions Mixed
February average wholesale asking prices across all stones and regions remained broadly stable, with only slight upward movement.
Auction markets, however, presented a more mixed picture. While select stones exceeded high estimates, a notable proportion of lots went unsold—reflecting variability in quality and consignment. Results across New York, Paris, London, Geneva and Hong Kong continue to outperform wholesale benchmarks for well-positioned goods, reinforcing that demand remains highly selective.
The GET-Diamonds Auction Price Estimator and the GET Spot Market Index (DSX) are based on 20,000 real-time public auction results for natural diamonds and diamond jewellery captured from ten of the world’s top auction houses and are available for free on the GET-Diamonds platform.
Lucara Diamond Corp recovered a 36.92-carat blue Type IIb diamond at its Karowe mine in Botswana using X-ray transmission technology. The company said it has unearthed five stones larger than 100 carats so far in 2026.
Sotheby’s will offer the Jwaneng 28.88 diamond at its Hong Kong sale on April 28 in partnership with De Beers. The round, 28.88-carat D, IF polished will be showcased alongside other diamonds originating from the Jwaneng mine in Botswana.
Rough Market Impact
Petra Diamonds said like-for-like rough prices declined 15% in the third quarter versus the prior period, with weak demand for smaller stones partly offset by stronger interest in higher-value goods.
Mountain Province Diamonds reported a 43% drop in 2025 sales to $111.5 million, as volume fell 31% to 1.9 million carats and average prices decreased 18% to $59 per carat.
Gem Diamonds swung to a $123.6 million net loss in 2025 from an $8.1 million profit a year earlier, driven largely by a $77.5 million impairment at its Letšeng mine, as revenue fell 36% to $98.4 million.
S&P Global downgraded Botswana to BBB-/A-3 with a negative outlook, citing weak global diamond demand. The agency warned that continued market softness will pressure the economy and public finances, with large fiscal deficits expected through 2029 without policy changes or a recovery.
Several miners strengthened their liquidity positions. Lucara Diamond Corp raised $350 million through a private placement of senior secured bonds to fund its Karowe underground project. Mountain Province Diamonds extended the maturity of its $40 million term loan and $33 million working capital facility to April 30, easing near-term pressure. Meanwhile, Burgundy Diamond Mines secured up to CAD 60 million in additional financing under Canada’s LETL program, expanding its December package to support operations at the Ekati mine.
Strategic Moves
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses approved a larger budget to promote natural diamonds globally, with president Yoram Dvash saying the initiative will expand across digital and social channels.
Kering Group has created a standalone jewelry division, naming Jean-Marc Duplaix as CEO. The unit includes Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo and Qeelin, alongside a 20% stake in Raselli Franco Group, with full ownership targeted by 2032. Jewelry sales rose 8% to EUR 935 million ($1.08 billion) in 2025, with operating income of EUR 31 million ($35.9 million).
Signet Jewelers is fine tuning its portfolio. The company said it will discontinue the James Allen website, repositioning the brand as a proprietary collection within Blue Nile, and that includes folding Rocksbox into Kay.
Lab Growth
Belgium’s Minister of Employment and Economy David Clarinval is reviewing whether the term “diamond” should be limited to natural stones to improve consumer transparency. The Antwerp World Diamond Centre raised the issue during a public event at Antwerpen-Centraal station, offering free scans to distinguish natural from synthetic diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds account for about 45% of U.S. engagement ring purchases, according to a 2025 report by BriteCo, reflecting their rapid move into the mainstream. Prices have dropped sharply, with a 1-carat lab-grown stone averaging around $1,000 versus roughly $4,200 for a natural diamond, reinforcing a widening split between accessible fashion jewelry and higher-value natural diamond luxury.
Miner Decisions
De Beers has reportedly notified sightholders of their status for the upcoming contract period starting July 1, with around 21 companies expected to be cut from supply. The move aligns with the miner’s plan to reduce its sightholder base from the current 69.
Rio Tinto has ended production at the Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories, having produced more than 150 million carats from the operation since opening in 2003.
Manufacturing Matters
South Africa’s diamond regulator has introduced stricter rules requiring producers to offer rough to domestic buyers on commercially viable terms before exporting, tightening beneficiation enforcement, according to Rapaport. The measures call for fair pricing and appropriate assortments to ensure genuine access for local manufacturers.
Alrosa is working with Russia’s Finance Ministry and the Smolensk regional administration to develop the country’s diamond-cutting sector, evaluating incentives such as infrastructure support, subsidies and tax breaks for participating companies.
Retail Earnings
Retail jewelers broadly reported stronger full-year earnings. Signet Jewelers posted a more than five-fold rise in net income to $294.4 million, helped by lower impairment costs, as sales edged up 2% to $6.81 billion.
Brilliant Earth recorded a 3.6% increase in sales to $437.5 million, driven by higher volumes but lower average transaction values, and swung to a $6.4 million loss as expenses climbed.
Macy’s said fine jewelry, lab-grown diamonds and watches led growth in its accessories division for the year ended January 31.
Chow Sang reported revenue rose 6% to HKD 22.45 billion ($2.86 billion) in 2025, while profit more than doubled to a record HKD 1.72 billion ($219.2 million), supported by strong demand for fixed-price gold products.
Michael Hill posted a 3% rise in revenue to AUD 371 million ($261 million) in its fiscal first half, with profit up 32% to AUD 22.3 million ($15.7 million), as higher volumes lifted same-store sales by 3.8%.
Manufacturing Matters
South Africa’s diamond regulator has introduced stricter rules requiring producers to offer rough to domestic buyers on commercially viable terms before exporting, tightening beneficiation enforcement, according to Rapaport. The measures call for fair pricing and appropriate assortments to ensure genuine access for local manufacturers.
Alrosa is working with Russia’s Finance Ministry and the Smolensk regional administration to develop the country’s diamond-cutting sector, evaluating incentives such as infrastructure support, subsidies and tax breaks for participating companies.
Expanding Services
Gemological Institute of America has opened a new School of Gemology and Jewelry Arts campus in Taiwan, introducing its first fully Chinese-language Graduate Gemologist program. The Taipei facility will offer flexible learning formats as part of GIA’s broader global education expansion.
Boucheron opened a new flagship store in Shanghai, its third globally after Paris and Tokyo, as it continues to expand its international footprint.
Grandview Klein Diamonds launched a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in South Africa, employing 50 people and integrating sourcing, technology and production to support local beneficiation.
Executive Shakeup
De Beers named Jillian Wolk as CEO of Tracr, effective May 1. She joins from GIA and will lead the traceability platform from New York, which also introduced new branding and a redesigned website.
Tom Moses will step down from the Gemological Institute of America after nearly 50 years, transitioning to chief of gemological research emeritus in recognition of his contributions to diamond grading and the institute’s global expansion.
Where the Future of the Trade Is Shaped
There are few moments in the global diamond calendar where the entire industry—miners, manufacturers, traders, regulators and innovators—comes together with a shared purpose.
The World Diamond Congress is one of them. And in 2026, it arrives at a time when the industry is not just evolving—it’s being redefined.
Why this Year Matters
Hosted by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, the Congress brings together voices from across the global diamond ecosystem at a pivotal moment.
The industry is navigating:
Rising demand for traceability and provenance
Shifting consumer expectations and retail dynamics
The continued growth of lab-grown alternatives
And an increasing need for trusted, scalable digital infrastructure
The conversation is no longer just about supply and demand—it’s about trust, identity, and long-term relevance.
Built by the industry, for the industry, GET connects global natural diamond supply with qualified buyers—bringing greater efficiency, transparency and structure to discovery and trade. At this year’s Congress, GET will be actively engaging with members and partners—demonstrating how the platform is evolving and how participants can integrate more deeply into the global marketplace.
A Global Room You Want to Be In
What makes the Congress powerful is not just the agenda—but the people in the room.
This is where conversations begin that often shape the next decade of the trade.
Join the Conversation
The World Diamond Congress will take place from October 21–23, 2026 in Singapore, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. Set in the heart of Marina Bay, the venue reflects Singapore’s position as a global hub for trade, innovation and connectivity—providing the perfect backdrop for conversations shaping the future of the natural diamond industry.
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