JB Insights
Anglo American may opt to for De Beers IPO
Anglo American may opt to float De Beers rather than sell it, because of the ongoing weak demand for natural diamonds.A spokesman for De Beers said it was working on a potential listing and a sale of the business, according to the UK’s Mail on Sunday newspaper, as “both options are very much on the table”. Sources say Anglo American is exploring an initial public offering of its diamond business De Beers with London as the preferred venue.
Raj Ray, analyst at BMO Capital Markets, who said public markets had been challenging for diamond firms, and the near to medium-term outlook remained muted.Anglo’s CEO, Duncan Wanblad has indicated previously that it would consider a trade sale, a demerger, or an initial public offering (IPO) to maximize value for shareholders.
De Beers financials tell a story of troubled times : De Beers reported a 21% decline in total revenue from $2.8bn in H1 2023 to $2.2bn in H1 2024. The company also experienced a 22% year-on-year decrease in total rough diamond sales. Whilst the worldwide realised price remained stable, market conditions greatly affected the company’s results.
Economic challenges in China led to low consumer confidence in the diamond market. The US is experiencing similar economic uncertainty that is preventing diamond purchases. Competition from lab-grown diamonds is also affecting De Beers’ dominance in the market, although in India, their strong economic growth has underpinned positive natural diamond jewellery growth.
The other option is selling De Beers. The mining conglomerate has held conversations with potential buyers for the diamond unit in recent weeks, “including luxury houses and Gulf sovereign-wealth funds,” The Wall Street Journal said, citing unnamed sources.
The situation touches on key questions many in the industry have had in the past year: Was the 2023 slump in the diamond market another cyclical downturn or the sign of a more somber future for the industry? Have lab-grown diamonds had a permanent impact on natural? In case of a sell out the question is : who will become the new owner of this legendary company. This buyer will have to solve several non-trivial tasks that traditional diamond market players, including Anglo buyer management, have so far failed to tackle. How can new generations of consumers be made interested in natural diamonds? How can a marketing duel be won against LGD (Lab-Grown Diamonds)? What should be done about Russian sanctioned diamonds and gems? The new owner of De Beers will have to provide answers to these questions.
JB Insights
Devotion, Heritage & Diversification: The defining trends of SSI Delhi’s 3rd Edition
From sacred artistry to lifestyle-driven expansion, how top exhibitors bridged timeless tradition with modern market demand.
Spirituality as a design anchor
Devotional and spiritual artistry emerged as the single strongest thread of the show. Ricchezza’s Idols Collection, SILORA’s Shrinathji timepiece, Purple Jewels’ Balaji idols and Shiva Lingam, and Anmol Jewellers’ extensive range of silver and gold idols (Vishwarupa, Panchmukhi Hanuman, Ram Parivaar, and more) together show that sacred and devotional pieces are no longer a niche category but a mainstream, premium-positioned offering across exhibitors.
Antique, oxidized and heritage finishes
SILORA’s glorious Antique Finish Collection and Oxidized Silver Jewellery reflect a broader pull toward deep patina, folk-tribal textures, and traditional Indian artistry — a counterpoint to high-polish contemporary pieces and a signal that heritage aesthetics remain commercially strong.
Rose gold’s continued momentum
Rose gold surfaced across multiple product types — not just jewellery but also timepieces — as seen in SILORA’s Luxe Rose Gold Finish Jewellery and rose-gold-finished watches, reinforcing its position as a staple modern finish rather than a passing trend.
Category expansion beyond traditional jewellery
Exhibitors are widening their range beyond rings, chains, and bangles. Ricchezza’s Anamitra line targets infants, while SILORA’s Exclusive Timepieces extend a jewellery brand into horology — both pointing to lifestyle-driven diversification as a growth strategy.
Gender-Specific Design Lines
Distinct masculine and feminine lines were a notable feature, exemplified by Ricchezza’s Cuban Collection (bold, masculine) alongside Tixty (chic, feminine) — indicating that targeted, gender-specific collections continue to be a deliberate merchandising strategy rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Mastery in Silver Artefacts and Idols
Both Purple Jewels and Anmol Jewellers demonstrated the depth of skill in silver idol-making, from the Saptashwa Vase’s mythological detailing to the technical complexity of Vishwarupa and Panchmukhi Hanuman forms, underscoring silver artefacts as a distinct and thriving craft category alongside wearable jewellery.
Balancing tradition and modernity
Taken together, the exhibitors at the 3rd edition of SSI Delhi painted a picture of an industry balancing tradition and modernity — where antique finishes and devotional artistry sit comfortably alongside rose gold sophistication, gender-targeted lines, and category extensions such as infant jewellery and timepieces. This blend of heritage craftsmanship and contemporary lifestyle relevance appears to be the defining character of the show.
-
National News21 minutes agoKEYA By Adbhut Brings Wearable Art and Indian Craftsmanship To Delhi Art Weekend 2026
-
International News2 hours agoDe Beers Assumes 100% Control Of Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine
-
National News2 hours agoKeemti Jewels Unveils Second Lagship Store In Mumbai At Borivali-West
-
New Premises5 hours agoMalabar Gold & Diamonds Opens Its Second-Biggest Showroom In Goa
JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.