DiamondBuzz
Surat diamond manufacturers implement summer shutdowns on lower demand
Diamond manufacturers in Surat, India’s diamond polishing hub, have begun implementing summer shutdowns for the first time in years as demand for natural stones remains persistently weak and the threat of steep U.S. tariffs looms over the industry.
Traditionally, factories in Surat—home to nearly 4,000 diamond units—take their main annual break during Diwali, remaining operational through the summer months. However, the ongoing downturn has prompted many units to extend Diwali closures and introduce unpaid summer breaks, a move not seen in previous years.
Around 10% of Surat’s diamond factories have declared a summer holiday of at least 15 days, with some major units planning to stay shut until June 6, according to industry sources and local media reports. The closures have triggered an exodus of thousands of migrant workers, many of whom are returning to their hometowns in Saurashtra and North Gujarat as operations wind down.
DiamondBuzz
Diamond Slump forces Debswana to diversify into copper, platinum and solar
Diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios
Debswana Diamond Company, the 50–50 joint venture between the Botswana government and De Beers, is moving to diversify into copper, platinum and renewable energy as the prolonged downturn in natural diamond demand pressures earnings and forces the industry to rethink its growth strategy.
The company’s board has approved plans to invest in a portfolio of non-diamond projects after revenue fell 46% in 2024, the latest available financial year, highlighting the scale of the downturn in the global diamond market.
The move signals a strategic shift toward commodities with stronger long-term demand fundamentals, particularly copper, which is central to global electrification and energy-transition infrastructure.
Debswana’s diversification reflects a broader industry pivot as diamond producers confront weak consumer demand, rising competition from lab-grown stones and elevated inventories across the supply chain.
The shift is also visible among smaller exploration companies. Botswana Diamonds recently rebranded as Botswana Minerals, signalling its own strategic focus on copper exploration rather than diamonds.
Together, these moves underscore a growing consensus across the sector: the era of diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios anchored in energy-transition metals.
-
National News3 hours agoThis Women’s Day, Dhirsons Jewellers Celebrates the Milestones in a Woman’s Journey
-
BrandBuzz20 hours agoThe Pearl Edit: Thoughtful Women’s Day Gifting by GIVA
-
BrandBuzz20 hours agoAugmont Launches SPOT 2.0: One Platform. Every Product. Efficient Business
-
BrandBuzz24 hours agoSenco Gold & Diamonds Launches “SHAPE OF YOU”- AI Application for Women’s Day Celebration
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.