International News
Complexity of above-ground silver stocks
The majority of above-ground stocks are essentially unavailable to the market regardless of price incentives

Silver is a rare, precious metal with a high intrinsic value. This fact helps explain its historical role as money and its continuing relevance as an investment asset. Since the industrial age, silver has become increasingly important as a commodity, its unique characteristics making it essential for many industrial applications, including leading clean energy uses.
Silver’s scarcity and value means there has always been a powerful incentive to safe keep and hoard the metal in its purer and weightier forms, such as coins, bars, silverware, and, to a lesser extent, jewelry. For other fabricated products, the silver content may also have some inherent value related to the precious metal content. Together, these various forms of silver constitute the above-ground stocks of precious metal.
To examine the relationship between the level of and changes in Above-Ground stocks and the silver price, the Silver Institute commissioned a new Market Trend Report, “Price Sensitivity of Above-Ground Silver Stocks,” produced by Precious Metals Insights.
The Report contends that no correlation exists between the overall level of Above-Ground stocks and the silver price.
Some of the key conclusions from this Report are summarized below:
There is no correlation between the overall level of Above-Ground stocks and the silver price;
Annual changes in total Above-Ground stocks and the silver price are likewise uncorrelated;
In contrast, movements in bullion stocks have an impact on the silver price and vice versa.
The vast majority of Above-Ground stocks are “immobile,” with only small net additions to or subtractions from stocks on an annual basis;
Increases in bullion stocks are often positively correlated with the price, as investment demand grows when silver prices increase, which still stimulates higher prices;
Multi-year drawdowns in bullion stocks have tended to occur in bear markets for silver and have exacerbated these. However, these drawdowns have typically set silver up for more substantial rallies as investors have rebuilt their bullion holdings; and
Above-Ground stocks of fabricated products are less price-sensitive than those of bullion. Only specific subsets of silver fabrication demand show a sensitivity to the price, such as jewelry and silverware.
International News
Türkiye’s jewellery exports surge by 79.1% in February 2025

Türkiye’s jewellery exports soared to 861.6 million dollars in February, marking a significant 79.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM).
Jewellery exports accounted for 4.1 percent of Türkiye’s total exports, with the sector boasting a diverse product portfolio. Gold jewellery and jewellery articles led the exports with a total value of 714.5 million dollars, while other notable product categories included unprocessed or semi-processed gold, silver items, cultured pearls, precious stones, and watches.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as Türkiye’s top market for jewellery exports, with shipments amounting to 411.7 million dollars in February. This positions the UAE as the most significant destination for Turkish jewellery. The USA, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Kyrgyzstan followed with exports valued at 56.6, 53.4, 45.2, and 43.5 million dollars, respectively.
Exports to the UAE saw an exceptional rise of 275 million dollars in February, with other countries, including Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, and Belgium, also registering notable growth. Türkiye exported 40.9 million dollars’ worth of jewellery to Libya and 13.3 million dollars to Belgium, reflecting the sector’s expanding global reach.
On a provincial basis, Istanbul remains the epicentre of Türkiye’s jewellery exports, contributing 605.8 million dollars to the total in February. Other major contributors included Çorum with 228.2 million dollars, followed by Trabzon (13.8 million dollars), Kastamonu (7 million dollars), Sakarya (2.9 million dollars), and Ankara (1.6 million dollars).
DiamondBuzz
IGI reports a 17 % increase in revenue for 2024; 29 % growth in profit

The International Gemological Institute (IGI), a leading grading company in the lab-grown diamond market, has reported record financial performance for the calendar year (CY) 2024. The company achieved a 17% increase in revenue and a remarkable 29% growth in profit, driven largely by its dominant 65% share of the global lab-grown diamond grading market.
- Revenue: $120.8 million (INR 10.53 billion), marking a 17% increase compared to the previous year.
- Profit After Tax: $49 million (INR 4.27 billion), reflecting a substantial 29% year-over-year growth.
- Market Share: IGI continues to dominate the lab-grown diamond grading market with a 65% global share.
IGI’s strong financial performance has been supported by its market leadership and strategic business decisions. The company went public in December 2023 with an initial public offering (IPO) that valued IGI at $3.5 billion. This marked a significant valuation jump from its $570 million acquisition price when Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, took ownership in May 2023.
Eashwar Iyer, IGI’s Global Chief Financial Officer (CFO), emphasized the company’s operational strength and strategic execution, attributing the record revenue and profit growth to IGI’s ability to capitalize on market opportunities and strengthen its competitive position.
IGI’s robust financial performance underscores the expanding demand for lab-grown diamonds and the growing importance of reliable certification in the industry. The company’s continued leadership in this segment reinforces its credibility and positions it for sustained growth in the future.
IGI’s record-breaking financial results in 2024 highlight its dominant market position, successful strategic initiatives, and ability to drive profitability. With a strong financial foundation and continued expansion, IGI remains at the forefront of the lab-grown diamond grading industry, setting benchmarks for excellence and growth.
DiamondBuzz
Alrosa confirms it is suspending production at its low-margin mines

Alrosa has confirmed that it is suspending production at its low-margin mines amid what it calls a “deep crisis” in the industry. The sanctioned Russian miner said last November it was considering such a move, but would wait and see what happened to rough prices.
Mining at the Verkhne-Munskoye deposit’s Zapolyarny and Magnitny open pits will now be suspended from June 15, and at alluvial deposits in the Anabar River valley – Khara-Mas and Ochuos, operated by Alrosa’s subsidiary Almazy Anabara – from April 1.
The suspension of activity at all deposits producing under 1m carats will reduce direct costs by $107m (RUB 9bn) during the year, the company said in a statement. They account for 3 per cent of Alrosa’s total output.
Alrosa also said forecast production for 2025 would remain unchanged at 29m carats. Ore already mined at the smaller deposits would ore mined at the deposits continue to be milled until next year, it said.
Earlier this month Alrosa reported a 77 per cent slump in profits for 2024 (down to $223m) after G7 sanctions were tightened last March to include Russian goods regardless of where they were cut and polished. The company has said it could lay off some of its 35,000 workers and ii is expected to offload more of its diamonds to Gokhran, the state-run depository.
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