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De Beers CEO: confident the US will exempt diamonds from reciprocal tariffs

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De Beers CEO Al Cook says he’s confident the US will exempt diamonds from reciprocal tariffs.He told the FT they were of “no benefit”, given that there are no US diamond mining jobs to protect, and that they would function as nothing more than a tax on American consumers.”People are confident enough that in the long term, diamonds will be exempted from tariffs,” he told the FT, indicating that an exemption may happen, but not immediately.

Cook echoed the views of World Diamond Council president Feriel Zerouki, who is urging the Trump administration to exclude natural diamonds from a tariff due to be implemented on 9 July, when a 90-day pause expires.

Diamonds, along with almost all other goods from all other countries, are currently subject to a baseline levy of 10 per cent on entry to the US, payable by the importer.

Cook, and many others, are calling for diamonds to be exempted from the additional burden of reciprocal tariffs, set at 26 per cent for India, by far the biggest supplier of polished stones, and on a sliding scale for other trading partners.

The US is the world’s largest diamond jewelry market by far, but has no domestic diamond mining industry.

“This is not about special treatment, this is about recognizing the unique structure of a global industry with no domestic production and ensuring policies support American businesses and consumers,” Zerouki said last week.

An exemption would help safeguard the $117bn US jewelry industry and protect the jobs of over 200,000 Americans, she said.

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DiamondBuzz

De Beers Group Launches “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” Program at IIJS Bharat Signature to Revolutionize Natural Diamond Accessibility in India

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De Beers Group, the world’s leading diamond company, marked a significant milestone in the Indian jewellery landscape with the official launch of the “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” program at IIJS Signature. The star-studded event featured actress Sonakshi Sinha, who joined Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President of De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark, to unveil an initiative dedicated to making natural diamonds an integral part of daily life for the modern Indian consumer.

The “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” (Diamonds are for You) program is strategically designed to promote natural diamonds by raising awareness, boosting market visibility,and creating a seamless connection between retailers and consumers. With a focus on modern designs and attractive price points, the program also lets local retailers use De Beers Group campaigns as their own—second-piercing earrings, ‘Bestie’ bracelets, and ‘Intention’ pendants. It positions diamonds as a lifestyle choice for self-expression and daily wear.

Speaking at the launch, Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President of De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark, detailed the evolution of the brand’s storytelling, stating, “De Beers Group has a rich legacy of creating iconic ritual campaigns that have shaped how the world perceives diamonds. With ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye,’ program we are evolving that narrative for the Indian market to another level.

We are not just selling jewellery, we are making natural diamonds more accessible and desirable in India. Our goal is to empower retailers through INDRA (Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance)  to ensure that every ‘First Diamond’ journey is as credible as it is beautiful.”

Kirit bhansali

Speaking on the occasion, Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said, “IIJS has always been a powerful platform for shaping the future of India’s gem and jewellery industry, and the launch of ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’ at IIJS Signature reinforces that role. GJEPC is proud to partner with De Beers Group on the INDRA (Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance) project, which is a critical step towards strengthening domestic demand for natural diamonds.

By empowering retailers, enhancing consumer confidence, and expanding access across metros and Tier 2 markets, this initiative aligns perfectly with our vision to grow the natural diamond category sustainably within India.”

The program ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’, rests on few strategic pillars aimed at industry growth and scalability:

  • Stocking & New Consumer Opportunity: Identifying gold wholesalers and distributors across 15–20 cities to focus on a first-phase target of 500 retailers.
  • Retailer Advantage: Providing a “Design Advantage” and strict “Product Hygiene,” backed by a clear buy-back policy and robust training and marketing support via the INDRA alliance.
  • Heera Hai Aapke Liye is robust entry-level product kit featuring earrings, bangles, bracelets, etc supported by exclusive visual merchandising (VM) for display.
  • Growth and Scalability: A PAN-India reach strategy designed to unlock new business opportunities for both manufacturers and retailers.

As India continues to grow as the world’s second-largest market for retail diamond jewellery, De Beers Group remains committed to strengthening the natural diamond narrative. By combining the emotional appeal of natural diamonds with the practical “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” framework, De Beers aims to build a sustainable future for the category across both metros and Tier 2 cities. De Beers and GJEPC aim to expand the base of Natural Diamond buyers, increase self-purchase consideration, and establish long-term credibility for the category.

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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.

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