DiamondBuzz
De Beers leaves rough prices unchanged at the first cycle of the year
De Beers left rough prices unchanged at the first cycle of the year after December’s sharp reductions. It allowed 20% buybacks for all goods — a mechanism that lets sightholders sell the least profitable stones back to the company. Demand was weak, with sales value expected to be low.
But the question on sightholders’ lips was what would happen next. One of the main reasons for the low sales was De Beers’ high prices. The miner’s rough remains significantly more expensive than the tender and auction market.
The company’s December price change of 10% to 15% went only part of the way toward closing this gap. Russian rival Alrosa has now reached similar price levels: It followed a December cut of around 10% with a further one of 7% to 8% in January, market insiders said.
DiamondBuzz
41st World Diamond Congress To Tackle Geopolitics and Shifting Consumer Tides
Industry To Discuss Russian Sanctions, African Supply Dominance, and A Looming Generational Handover.
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) announced Friday that the 41st World Diamond Congress will convene in Singapore from July 12–15, 2026. The four-day summit arrives at a pivotal moment for the $100 billion jewelry market, which is currently wrestling with the rise of lab-grown alternatives and tightening transparency requirements.
Five Pillars of the 2026 Agenda
The Congress has structured its programming around five core challenges that are expected to define the industry’s trajectory through the end of the decade:
- African Supply Leadership: A deep dive into the continent’s evolving role from a raw material source to a strategic power player.
- The Asian Pivot: Executives will explore untapped potential in the ASEAN bloc, specifically targeting emerging middle-class wealth in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
- Geopolitics and Sanctions: Critical sessions will address the ongoing trade-related restrictions that have reshaped global supply chains since 2022.
- The Demand Deficit: Stakeholders will brainstorm strategies to revitalize the global desire for natural diamonds over synthetic competitors.
- Generational Transition: A focus on integrating the “next gen” of leadership into the traditionally conservative diamond pipeline.
A Strategic Crossroads
The Congress will host an international mix of government representatives, manufacturers, and trade bodies. It noted that the ASEAN region represents a vital frontier for trade as traditional Western markets mature.
The timing of the event is strategic; it will run concurrently with the Singapore International Jewelry Expo (SIJE), bridging the gap between raw supply discussions and the high-end retail sector.
Market Outlook
For many in attendance, the primary concern remains the “natural vs. lab” debate. As Gen Z and Millennial buyers prioritize ethical sourcing and price transparency, the industry is under pressure to refine its narrative. The Congress is expected to serve as the primary forum for establishing a unified marketing front to bolster natural diamond demand.
Registration for the event remains open, with the industry’s top brass expected to finalize the roster of panel participants in the coming weeks.
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