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Total value of Antwerp’s diamond imports and exports fall by over a third

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The total value of all Antwerp’s diamond imports and exports fell by over a third in the first two months of 2025, according to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) as the global slowdown and the impact of lab gowns were compounded by the effects of G7 sanctions on the sole verification point.

Imports fell 36 per cent by value, from $2bn in January and February 2024, to $1.3bn in the same months of 2025 and were down by 17 per cent in carat terms, from 26.8m carats to 22.1m carats.

Exports were down by almost 38 per cent to $1bn by value and down 24 per cent to 11m carats by volume.

Average per carat rough prices recorded by the AWDC’s Diamond Office fell by over 11 per cent from January 2024 to January 2025 to $98.36 and polished prices were down by over 9 per cent during the same period to $1.940.69.

Antwerp had suffered geopolitical tensions, dwindling demand and lab grown popularity like other diamond centers, said Karen Rentmeesters,  CEO of AWDC at an inaugural Town Hall meeting (on 12 March). But it was only the only hub hit by the G7 sanctions on Russia, which wiped out over a quarter of its supply. “There’s geopolitical tensions, there’s dwindling demand, there’s increased competition from lab grown or synthetic diamonds. And this has had a severe impact on the trade, on the volumes, across the board. We see it in all the trade hubs and the manufacturing hubs.”

She also noted that figures for January and February 2024 were just before the implementation of indirect G7 sanctions on 1 March 2024, outlawing diamonds of 1.0-cts or above, even if polished outside Russia.But she said Antwerp, alone among diamond hubs, had been hit by the G7 sanctions. Antwerp has been the sole verification point for rough goods entering the G7 (and the EU) countries since 1 March 2024, although the European Commission (EC) has said it will be establishing a second entry point in Botswana. 

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DiamondBuzz

De Beers Group Launches “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” Program at IIJS Bharat Signature to Revolutionize Natural Diamond Accessibility in India

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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.”

Kirit bhansali

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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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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