DiamondBuzz
Average price of natural-diamond jewellery rises by 2.7%: NDC
The average price of natural-diamond jewelry across all product categories rose 2.7% to $2,360, according to a report from the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) and trend analysis company Tenoris.
The organization also researched other leading trends, including shape, size and clarity, which are all important factors in indicating consumer preferences,
The companies collected data from over 2,000 independent jewelers across the US.
Round diamonds remained the most popular, comprising 82% of center stones in natural-diamond jewelry sold in 2024. However, fancy shapes, particularly ovals and marquises, have gained share over the year. Last year, consumers began moving away from purchasing 1-carat diamonds, opting for larger ones as their center stone, the NDC found. Diamonds between 2 and 2.24 carats have seen increased popularity, up 18% during the year and accounting for 10% of the market.
Bridal comprised 33% of all diamond-jewelry sales in 2024. Meanwhile, the average price of wedding sets rose 31% as consumers bought larger stones and more expensive metals. Overall, jewelry sales across all product segments gained 5% last year, the NDC said.
“Consumers still prize natural diamonds for their unique and timeless status as an emotional gift to celebrate life’s milestones,” the organization added.
DiamondBuzz
Lesotho’s Kao Diamond Mine To Halt Operations Amid Industry Slump
The Mine’s Operator, Storm Mountain, Cited A Severe Financial Crisis Driven By A Prolonged Drop In Global Rough-diamond Prices, Rising Middle East Conflict
Lesotho’s largest diamond mine, Kao, will cease operations on June 30 and transition to care and maintenance. The mine’s operator, Storm Mountain, cited a severe financial crisis driven by a prolonged drop in global rough-diamond prices, rising Middle East conflict-related fuel costs, and stiff competition from lab-grown diamonds.
Despite a warning last October that the mine required $13 million in fresh capital to survive, the necessary investment did not materialise. According to CEO Neo Hoala, the steep market decline made continued operations unsustainable. The shutdown will impact roughly 750 workers.
The mine’s financial downturn is stark: in 2024, Storm Mountain sold 250,000 carats for $50 million—a massive drop from its $105 million revenue in 2022. Kao’s suspension reflects a broader crisis in the diamond sector, following recent insolvencies and closures at Canada’s Ekati mine and South Africa’s Ekapa and Finsch mines.
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