Insights

Lab-Grown Manufacturing Mining Retail Traceability

Signet Jewelers' Mixed Performance: Navigating a Tough Market with Strategic Initiatives

June 15, 2024

Ah, the world of jewelry—a glittering, shimmering domain where fortunes are crafted and dreams are adorned. Signet Jewelers, the colossus of this sparkling industry, recently unveiled its Q1 2025 earnings, and the results, dear readers, are as multifaceted as a finely cut diamond. Amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty, Signet's...

Lab-Grown Industry Needs a Coming Of Age

June 06, 2024

Since COVID, Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGD) have emerged as a formidable force in the gemstone industry with rapidly increasing volumes and dynamic prices. However, the state of the industry as it stands reminds me of a child imitating its parents because they are all it has ever known. Perhaps stemming from the fact that...

BHP’s Anglo American Takeover: A Deal Marred by Historical and Political Hurdles

May 20, 2024

BHP’s ambitious attempt to acquire Anglo American presents significant challenges, particularly those tied to South Africa's complex socio-economic and historical landscape. The proposed £31bn takeover bid, deemed insufficient by Anglo, is overshadowed by deeper, more intricate issues. Mining has been the cornerstone of South Africa’s economy for over a century, with...

Diamonds to Gold: How India's Exports Have Adapted

April 23, 2024

India's gem and jewelry sector is undergoing a notable transformation, as data on the country's exports reveal a concerning trend for the industry. While the plain gold jewelry exports have grown by 61.72% to reach $6,792.24 million in fiscal year 2023-24, the overall gem and jewelry exports experienced a 14.45%...

Jewelry Retailers Adapt Amid Lab-Grown Diamond Price Shifts

April 15, 2024

The latest industry data shows a changing landscape for the U.S. jewelry sector. During the first quarter of 2024, 563 jewelry retailers closed shop, a 3.1% decline from the previous year's total of 28,000 stores. While concerning, this accelerating trend reflects the industry's evolution as it navigates the rise of...

The Battle that Natural Diamonds are Really Losing

April 13, 2024

In the realm of luxury goods, few items are as charged with controversy as natural diamonds. Recent discourse on social media has reinvigorated age-old debates about the ethics of natural diamond mining, branding strategies, and the effectiveness of measures like the Kimberley Process. This conversation is not just about gemstones;...

Warming Climate Threatens Lifeline to Remote Diamond Operations

April 12, 2024

The unusually mild winter in Canada's northern territories has disrupted the vital ice road that serves as a crucial supply line for remote diamond mining operations in the Arctic. This seasonal road, which typically opens in late December and remains traversable until April, is now facing delays due to the...

Diatrace: Pioneering Diamond Traceability with Advanced Technology

April 12, 2024

India's external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, has voiced strong opposition to the G7 sanctions on Russian diamonds, warning that the measures will have a significant impact on the Indian economy. He emphasized that the execution of the sanctions will hurt Indian manufacturers and threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs that depend...

Titan's Steady Growth Signals Resilience in Indian Jewelry Market

April 11, 2024

Titan Company, a leading player in India's jewelry industry, has reported another quarter of impressive growth, showcasing the continued strength and resilience of the market. The company's jewelry sales saw an 18% year-on-year increase in the fourth quarter, a slight slowdown from the previous quarter's 23% growth, but still a...

AGTA's Ban on Lab-Grown Gems: Protectionism or Pragmatism?

April 10, 2024

The American Gem Trade Association's (AGTA) decision to ban the exhibition and sale of lab-grown gems at its trade shows starting in 2025 is a bold move that reflects the industry's ongoing struggle to maintain the integrity and perceived value of natural gemstones. While the AGTA's stance underscores the enduring...