The International Gemological Institute (IGI) reported robust financial results for the first quarter, driven by increased demand for certification of both lab-grown and natural diamonds. Revenue rose 10% year-on-year to INR 3 billion ($35.8 million) for the three months ending March 31, marking a 15% increase over the previous quarter.

Growth was seen across all certification segments. Loose natural-diamond certification rose 1% year-on-year, accounting for 16% of IGI’s operations. Certification of loose lab-grown diamonds grew 9%, making up the majority of the business at 54%. Grading of natural-diamond jewelry surged 21%, while lab-grown jewelry grading recorded an impressive 87% increase. These segments now represent 21% and 7% of the company’s business, respectively.

Net profit climbed 12% year-on-year to INR 1.41 billion ($16.5 million), and rose 24% compared to the previous quarter.

“The company has seen strong growth momentum across all its segments compared to the previous quarter as well as the first quarter of the last financial year,” said IGI CEO Tehmasp Printer. “Along with our core segments of natural-diamond certification and lab-grown diamond certification, we are also seeing strong demand for certification of natural diamond and lab-grown diamond jewelry, which will further accelerate the growth of our business.”

To support this rising demand, IGI announced plans to expand its laboratory capacity and invest in technology aimed at increasing operational efficiency and reducing turnaround time for services.

The Canadian government has introduced a series of tax-relief measures aimed at supporting the diamond-mining sector in the Northwest Territories, as the industry faces mounting financial challenges. The initiative seeks to preserve economic stability in a region where diamond mining contributes approximately 20% of its GDP, with major operations including Diavik, Ekati, and Gahcho Kué.

According to the Government of the Northwest Territories, the sector is currently under pressure from low global diamond prices, inflation, supply-chain disruptions, and emerging tariff impacts. These conditions have led to significant losses for mining companies. Mountain Province, co-owner of Gahcho Kué with De Beers, reported a $56.4 million net loss in 2024, while Ekati’s owner Burgundy Diamonds lost $94.7 million and Diavik operator Rio Tinto reported a $127 million underlying loss.

To address these issues, the government will double the number of local diamond valuations in 2025 and 2026, covering associated costs to help producers move rough stones to market more efficiently. A temporary reduction in the minerals tax rate will result in $11.2 million in property tax savings for the three mines. Additionally, funds previously set aside for carbon tax contributions will be released to ease cash flow constraints.

The government will also collaborate with Indigenous governments and development corporations to offer further infrastructure and transitional support.

“This is about protecting our economy from sudden shock,” said Caroline Wawzonek, minister of finance for the Northwest Territories. “These targeted, short-term supports are not about corporate profits — they’re about maintaining stability for the workers, families, communities, and Indigenous governments that rely on [the diamond] sector. Our government’s support must be directed to ensuring that Northwest Territory-based labor and businesses are protected in this challenging operating environment.”

Prices of fancy-color diamonds declined modestly by 0.3% in Q1 compared to the previous quarter, as cautious consumer sentiment persists in light of looming U.S. tariffs, according to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF). Pink diamonds saw the smallest dip at 0.1%, with larger stones in the fancy-vivid category performing strongly—10-carat stones rose by 3%, while 5-carat stones were up 1.1%. However, 1.5-carat fancy-vivid-pink diamonds recorded a 2.3% drop, ranking among the quarter’s biggest losers.

Blue fancy-color diamond prices edged down 0.5%, reflecting a stable market trend, while yellow diamonds fell 0.7%. The most significant drop came from the 3-carat fancy-intense yellow, which declined 3%.

Despite short-term fluctuations, the long-term trend remains positive: since 2005, pink diamond prices have soared 394%, blues have risen 242%, and yellows have gained 49%.

“While global trade anxieties — particularly around renewed US tariff proposals — have undoubtedly created caution across luxury sectors, the fancy-color diamond market remained impressively composed,” said FCRF CEO Roy Safit. “In fact, given the sharp rhetoric around import duties and reshoring, many expected a more dramatic correction. Instead, the data shows a contained, strategic repositioning. It speaks to the market’s growing maturity and the defensive appeal of vivid-color diamonds.”