International News
Gold volatility spikes on geopolitics, trade wars
Gold prices rose today on safe-haven buying after US President Donald Trump reignited the trade war by raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 100% and imposing export controls on “any and all critical software”. Gold saw a dip on Friday on the heels of Israel Hamas ceasefire. The unprecedented gold price rally came to a halt on Friday, offering some relief to investors and retail jewellery buyers alike. On the occasion of Karwa Chauth, gold prices in India witnessed a sharp correction on October 10.
US-China Trade Tensions (Escalating Uncertainty)
Renewed fears of a full-blown trade war between the United States and China are a major factor driving recent spikes in gold prices.
- Trade War Impact: Threats of new, high-rate tariffs (e.g., a potential 100% tariff on Chinese goods) and export restrictions create economic uncertainty, which investors traditionally hedge against by buying gold.
- Inflationary Pressure: Tariffs can raise the cost of imported goods, leading to inflationary pressures. Gold serves as a classic hedge against inflation, directly boosting its demand and price.
- Currency Weakness: An escalating trade dispute can cause the US Dollar (USD) to weaken relative to other currencies, which makes dollar-denominated gold cheaper for international buyers, further stimulating demand.
Hamas-Israel Conflict & Ceasefire Volatility (Risk Premium)
The conflict in the Middle East contributes a significant “geopolitical risk premium” to the price of gold.
- Safe-Haven Demand: The outbreak and escalation of the conflict (from October 2023 onward) immediately triggered a surge in gold buying as investors sought to protect capital from the sudden, high-stakes political and military instability.
- Ceasefire Impact: Reports of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement or de-escalation tend to have the opposite, negative effect, temporarily easing the geopolitical risk premium. This can cause short-term price corrections or dips in gold as market fears subside.
- Regional Spillover: The threat of the conflict spreading and disrupting global energy supplies (e.g., oil) creates potential inflationary risk, which reinforces gold’s appeal regardless of temporary ceasefires.
DiamondBuzz
De Beers Group Launches “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” Program at IIJS Bharat Signature to Revolutionize Natural Diamond Accessibility in India
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.”

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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