DiamondBuzz
AWDC unveils gumball machine dispensing 5-euro LGDs in Antwerp
A gumball machine dispensing five-euro lab grown diamonds was unveiled on 12 June as part of a two-pronged campaign, highlighting Antwerp’s history as a diamond hub – and the low value of lab growns. Lab growns account for just 0.6 per cent of the diamonds traded in Antwerp, which has been a global hub for almost 580 years.
The cheeky stunt, taking place today and tomorrow at the city’s Stadsfeestzaal shopping mall, is part of the new We Protect a Legacy initiative by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).
The campaign highlights the core differences between natural and lab growns, which remain unclear to many consumers, leaving room for confusion — and in some cases, deliberate misinformation. the market price of synthetic diamonds has collapsed in recent months, losing up to 95 per cent of their value over the past seven years, while natural diamonds are becoming increasingly scarce
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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Lesotho’s Kao Diamond Mine To Halt Operations Amid Industry Slump
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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.