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Okavango fails  to sell a single stone in an unprecedented “emergency” tender of 1m carats 

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What was meant to be a lifeline for Botswana’s treasury turned into a sobering signal for the global diamond market. Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), the state-owned marketer of rough gems, put a million carats on the table in a rare “emergency” sale last Thursday — and walked away without a single bid crossing the reserve line.

The failed auction underscores just how sharply sentiment around natural diamonds has deteriorated. Buyers balked at the price floor, leaving the government without the hoped-for revenue infusion. The outcome also raises doubts over ODC’s plan to stage additional off-calendar tenders before year-end.

Ordinarily, ODC runs a predictable rhythm of about ten digital spot auctions annually, offering select parcels from Debswana — the 50:50 joint venture between Botswana and De Beers. The surprise tender was a calculated break from tradition, but instead of relief, it exposed the depth of demand weakness.

Market watchers note this isn’t an isolated stumble. ODC has been scrapping tenders since late 2024, signaling a market that continues to sag under oversupply, slowing luxury spending, and a cautious midstream. Ahead of the failed sale, company spokesman Dennis Tlaang emphasized that ODC would not “sell at levels that destabilize the market.” That stance may have preserved long-term pricing discipline, but at the cost of short-term cash flow.

For Botswana — whose economy leans heavily on diamonds — the no-sale result is a stark reminder: even in resource-rich nations, market cycles can rewrite the rules overnight.

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DiamondBuzz

Global Lab-Grown Diamond Market Set to Reach $100 Billion by 2032: DMCC

Global LGD market poised for $60–100B growth by 2032, with Dubai leading as a key facilitator

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The global lab-grown diamond (LGD) market is projected to expand to $60–100 billion by 2032, according to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). This growth trajectory is being shaped by three powerful forces: rising jewellery and lifestyle adoption, sustained industrial demand, and accelerated technological integration. Dubai, already among the world’s top diamond trading hubs, is emerging as a critical enabler and facilitator of this growth by providing infrastructure, market access, and thought leadership in the sector.

Market Outlook: Lab-Grown Diamonds Entering a Growth Supercycle

At the second edition of the DMCC Lab-Grown Diamond Symposium, held under the theme From Mass to Meaning: Creativity, Technology and Transformation in Lab-Grown Diamonds”, more than 150 global leaders, innovators, and policymakers convened to evaluate the LGD industry’s future pathways.

The consensus: LGDs are no longer confined to jewellery. Their applications now extend across high-tech industries, fashion, lifestyle, and advanced engineering, placing them at the centre of multiple innovation streams.

DMCC forecasts underscore the scale of this expansion, with estimates suggesting the LGD industry could surpass the $100 billion threshold by 2032, effectively transforming it into one of the most dynamic markets globally.

Drivers of Growth

Jewellery and Lifestyle Expansion

  • Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly embraced by millennials and Gen Z consumers, who value affordability, sustainability, and customisation.
  • Designers are leveraging LGDs’ versatility, incorporating them into fashion-forward accessories including sunglasses, footwear, and wearable technologies.
  • Interior and lifestyle sectors are exploring LGD applications in home décor and consumer products, broadening demand far beyond traditional jewellery.
  • Industrial Applications
  • LGDs are now critical in aerospace, construction, and precision tools, owing to their superior hardness, durability, and cost-effectiveness compared to natural diamonds.
  • Demand is expected to rise from manufacturing and industrial engineering sectors seeking reliable high-performance materials.
  • High-Technology Adoption
  • LGDs possess unique physical and chemical properties—notably thermal conductivity, optical clarity, and electronic resilience—that make them suitable for next-generation semiconductors, quantum systems, and photonics.
  • Their use in quantum computing and advanced electronics positions LGDs as an enabling material for the future digital economy.

Dubai’s strategic geography, advanced logistics, and position as a global luxury hub place it at the heart of LGD trade and innovation. DMCC is spearheading initiatives to integrate LGDs across industries by:

  • Convening global stakeholders through flagship platforms like the Lab-Grown Diamond Symposium.
  • Facilitating cross-sector collaboration between technology firms, jewellers, designers, and industrial manufacturers.
  • Providing trade infrastructure and regulatory support to strengthen Dubai’s positioning as the global centre for lab-grown diamond dialogue and commerce.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, emphasised:“Lab-grown diamonds are powering global innovation – from quantum computing and semiconductors to jewellery design, aerospace and construction. With the market set to reach $60–100 billion by the early 2030s, this is among the most dynamic sectors worldwide.” He further highlighted Dubai’s unique role in connecting luxury, industrial, and technological applications, with DMCC acting as the platform for convergence.

Implications for Industry Stakeholders

  • Jewellery brands: The rise of LGDs offers new possibilities for product innovation, mass-market accessibility, and sustainable branding.
  • Technology firms: Opportunities are expanding in quantum, semiconductor, and photonics markets, where LGDs may become indispensable materials.
  • Investors: The projected market scale indicates a strong growth and diversification opportunity, particularly in regions where LGD adoption is nascent.
  • Trade hubs: Cities like Dubai are set to gain prominence by providing ecosystems that facilitate LGD innovation and commerce.

The lab-grown diamond industry is transitioning from niche to mainstream, underpinned by a multi-sector growth narrative. By 2032, the market could cross the $100 billion mark, reshaping global supply chains and consumer markets alike.

As the host of critical dialogue and innovation platforms, Dubai—through DMCC—has positioned itself at the forefront of this transformation, ensuring that the city is not only a trading powerhouse but also a driver of technological and creative disruption in the LGD sector.

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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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