International News
Pandora and Amazon Collaborate to Dismantle International Counterfeit Jewellery Network
Pandora has partnered with Amazon to take action against a network involved in the sale of counterfeit jewellery, resulting in a criminal prosecution in China.
The collaboration followed a multi-year investigation by Pandora’s Intellectual Property and Brand Protection team, supported by Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit. Chinese law enforcement, acting on the information gathered, conducted a raid leading to the seizure of counterfeit Pandora items.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings, the inquiry was launched in 2020 after customs authorities intercepted shipments suspected of containing counterfeit goods. Pandora and Amazon linked the activity to two sellers based in China operating at scale across European markets.
The case was prosecuted in Shanghai, where in March 2025 the individuals were found guilty of selling counterfeit products. A combined sentence of five years in prison and financial penalties was issued.
Statements from Peter Ring, Pandora’s SVP General Counsel, said: “As the world’s largest jewellery brand, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail and are committed to protecting our brand from the threat of counterfeit products. This successful collaboration with Amazon shows how impactful joint efforts can be in stopping counterfeiting operations. By combining our global brand protection expertise with Amazon’s investigative capabilities, we supported local law enforcement in dismantling a sophisticated criminal network. This case marks an important step forward in our ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of our brand and the quality our customers expect and trust us to deliver.”
Kebharu Smith, Director of Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit, added: “By partnering closely with brands like Pandora and law enforcement agencies worldwide, we’re stopping counterfeiters and holding them accountable in courts around the globe. Counterfeiting is one of the oldest crimes in history, and we’re tackling it with our cutting-edge proactive tools and technology. Our collaboration with Pandora successfully dismantled a ring of bad actors, removing counterfeits from the broader supply chain. While we’ve made significant progress over the past five years, our mission remains clear—we won’t rest until we drive counterfeits to zero.”
Broader Brand Protection Measures In 2024, Pandora reported assisting in the removal of more than 500,000 online instances of counterfeit promotion, including webpages and social media accounts. This marked a 215% increase compared to the previous year, attributed to expanded use of AI detection tools. The company also supported the seizure of approximately 100,000 counterfeit jewellery items globally.
Industry Context The OECD estimates that counterfeit and pirated goods account for 2.3% of global trade. Within the European Union, the value of such imports is estimated to reach DKK 887 billion annually. These figures underscore the widespread nature of counterfeit trade and the ongoing need for enforcement.
Although Pandora does not distribute its jewellery via Amazon, the collaboration demonstrates a strategic approach to tackling counterfeit sales through partnerships with major online platforms and law enforcement. As online marketplaces continue to be exploited by counterfeit sellers, joint enforcement initiatives remain a relevant measure for brand protection.
International News
De Beers Group Reports H1 2026 Production Surge
The company reported a significant increase in production volume while maintaining its full-year production target of 21 to 26 million carats.
De Beers Group today released its operational and sales performance update for the second quarter and first half of 2026. Driven by strong recovery efforts and strategic access to higher-grade ore bodies, the company reported a significant increase in production volume while maintaining its full-year production target of 21 to 26 million carats.
Despite market pressures stemming from broader macroeconomic volatility, the company continues to advance operational streamlining and cost-optimization initiatives to ensure long-term resilience.
Key Highlights & Operational Summary
- Q2 Production Surge: Production jumped 88% year-on-year to 7.8 million carats in the second quarter, bringing total H1 output to 14.9 million carats (+46% YoY).
- Volume Growth: Consolidated H1 sales volume expanded 13% to 12.4 million carats (total sales volume up 20% to 14.8 million carats).
- Full-Year Guidance Reaffirmed: Full-year output remains targeted at 21–26 million carats, with second-half production planned to balance out via scheduled maintenance and a temporary operational pause at the Venetia mine.
- Resilient High-Value Demand: While entry-level categories faced broader pricing shifts, pricing for higher-value natural diamonds remained firm, providing baseline support to the overall index.
Market Dynamics & Strategic Response
Trading conditions during the first six months of 2026 reflected ongoing global macroeconomic uncertainties and regional conflicts that weighed on general consumer sentiment. Additionally, lower-value natural categories experienced continued pressure from lab-grown alternatives.
In response, De Beers actively adjusted its sales strategies, utilizing its inventory mix to meet existing market demand. While lower-value inventory sales shifted the average realized price to $105 per carat for H1, the company noted that underlying value indices for premium, higher-grade natural goods remained stable throughout the period.
Outlook & Portfolio Optimization
Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, De Beers will align production output directly with global demand signals. The anticipated surge from H1 will be offset by:
- The previously announced two-year operational pause at the Venetia mine.
- Planned facility maintenance at the Orapa and Jwaneng operations in Botswana.
Anglo American continues to execute its operational transformation and strategic divestment plans for De Beers, ensuring capital discipline and long-term organizational value.
-
National News2 days agoAkoirah by Augmont Celebrates The Family We Choose With A Thoughtfully Curated Friendship Day Gifting Edit
-
New Premises22 hours agoGUZEMA Fine Jewelry Opens First U.S. Boutique In New York’s SoHo
-
International News1 day agoDe Beers Group Reports H1 2026 Production Surge
-
International News1 day agoCanada Faces 50% US Import Tariffs; Gemstone Exemption Under Review
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.