International News
Israel Diamond Exchange Closes Trading Floor Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) has announced the closure of its trading floor and a shift to emergency operations following the outbreak of direct conflict between Israel and Iran. The decision, made in response to escalating security concerns, comes after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets early Friday, prompting missile retaliation from Iran — some of which have struck areas near the IDE in Ramat Gan, just outside Tel Aviv.
In a statement released in Hebrew on Saturday, the IDE confirmed that it would operate in “emergency mode,” suspending regular activities and closing multiple facilities within the exchange complex. Services that are considered non-essential—including the bourse management offices, post office, import and export departments, the diamond controller’s office, maintenance services, restaurants, cafés, and bank branches—will remain shut until further notice.
Access to the IDE complex has also been restricted. Entry is now limited to the Shimshon building only, with all other entrances closed. The Maccabi and Yahalom parking lots, along with the office responsible for issuing bourse access tags, have also been temporarily closed.
The safety deposit room located in the Shimshon building will remain operational, but only until 2 p.m. daily, and solely for the purpose of depositing goods. “We recommend that companies and members transfer their goods to the secure safe room in the Shimshon building for optimal protection,” IDE advised in its statement.
In a separate communication issued on Friday, the exchange cautioned members about the limitations of most insurance policies, noting that damages resulting from war or terrorist activities are typically not covered. Members were urged to review their insurance coverage carefully and explore whether they might qualify for compensation under Israel’s property tax regulations in the event of a loss.
The IDE stressed that it will continue to closely monitor developments in the security situation and will update its guidelines accordingly to ensure the safety of its members and their assets.
Meanwhile, the Home Front Command, responsible for civil protection in Israel, has prohibited all non-essential public gatherings nationwide as missile threats persist. The missile attacks mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, drawing concerns from international observers and impacting critical sectors like Israel’s diamond trade.
The Israel Diamond Exchange is one of the world’s leading centers for diamond trading, and any disruption to its operations has wide-ranging implications for the global diamond supply chain. The current closure highlights the vulnerability of even highly secure economic institutions in times of geopolitical instability.
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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