DiamondBuzz

De Beers Sightholders report shortages of large diamonds

Published

2 years ago

February 28, 2025

Rough diamonds above 5 carats were in tight supply at this week’s sight, customers reported, with explanations ranging from production cuts to ’ strategy of withholding supply. The February trading session saw stable prices in the vast majority of categories, as the miner maintained its policy of not flooding the market, insiders said this week.

The lack of large stones has puzzled some, since De Beers is reportedly sitting on $2 billion of inventories, its largest since the 2008 financial crisis. Many market insiders viewed it as a positive that these sizes were hard to find, reflecting that the categories had sold better in the past few sights. The resultant polished — mostly 2 carats and larger — has performed better in the recent downturn than 0.30- to 2 carat goods.

Some point to a tactical effort by De Beers to limit supply — either to protect the market or to reward sightholders that purchase less sought-after items.

SOURCE: RAPAPORT

Related Topics:2025 De Beers diamondbuzz internationalnews

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DiamondBuzz

De Beers Cuts Diamond Production But Sees Sales Rise

The Main Reasons For The Drop Were Planned Repair Work In Botswana and Slower Operations At Its Venetia Mine In South Africa. Demand For Diamonds Grew In The US and India.

Published

4 hours ago

October 23, 2026

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De Beers produced 11% fewer diamonds in the third quarter of 2026 compared to last year, bringing total production down to 6.8 million carats. The main reasons for the drop were planned repair work in Botswana and slower operations at its Venetia mine in South Africa before it temporarily pauses production for two years.

Despite lower production, overall diamond trading improved. Demand for diamonds grew in the US and India, and the market became better balanced. However, lab-made diamonds continued to hurt sales of cheaper natural diamonds.

Production Highlights by Country

Botswana: Down 20% to 4.8 million carats due to maintenance at the Orapa mine.

South Africa: Down 37% to 418,000 carats as the Venetia mine slowed down.

Namibia: Up 8% to 495,000 carats.

Canada: More than doubled to 1.06 million carats because the Gahcho Kué mine processed higher-quality ore.

On October 16, De Beers took full ownership of Canada’s Gahcho Kué mine after taking over its partner Mountain Province’s 49% share. Starting in the fourth quarter, De Beers will report all production from this mine on its own books. This will raise De Beers’ official production numbers, but it will not change the overall amount of diamonds in the world market.

Sales Revenue: Reached $731 million for the quarter, up 4% from $700 million last year.

Sales Volume: Nearly doubled to 8.7 million carats, up from 4.6 million carats a year ago.

Even though sales volume went up, the average price De Beers received per carat so far this year fell 37% to $97. This was caused by an 18% drop in overall rough diamond prices and the fact that De Beers sold a higher proportion of cheaper diamonds this year.

Because De Beers now owns 100% of the Gahcho Kué mine, it raised its full-year 2026 production target to 25–28 million carats (up from 21–26 million). It also lowered its expected production cost from $80 to about $70 per carat. The company said it will keep watching market demand and adjust its production as needed.