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Showing posts from October, 2020

Lulo recovers two diamonds of Type IIa!

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  Lucapa sales over 10K carats year to date   Lucapa Diamond Company Limited presents its activities report and results for the Quarter ending 30 September 2020, Q3 2020 with Lucapa’s operational highlights for the Quarter include, 1: Record Quarter diamond production at Lulo with 9,387 carats recovered, 2: Bulk sampling completed at L071 and L072 resulting in the recovery of 1.33 carats from L071 including a 0.25 carat Type IIa diamond.   3: Completion of three diamond sales by SML, realising US$11.6m (A$16.3m), 4: Restructuring of the group’s borrowings successfully completed, 5: Approval of the Mothae kimberlite mine restart plan, 6: New diamond marketing channel approved by the Government of Lesotho, 7: ~280% increase in the Indicated Resource at Mothae.   SML’s operations at Lulo were partially impacted during the Quarter by the State of Emergency implemented in Angola because of the Covid-19 pandemic and presidential decrees regulating personnel movement. However, the Lulo

Jewellery demand India fell by 48% in 3Q

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Investment demand for gold bars and coins by 51%   WGC India announces India Gold Demand Statistics for Q3 2020 (July - September). Speaking about India Gold Demand Statistics for Q3 2020, Somasundaram PR, Managing Director, India, World Gold Council said, India’s Q3 2020 gold demand fell by 30% to 86.6 tonnes on the back of Covid related disruptions, bleak consumer sentiment and high prices accompanied by volatility.   This is, however, higher than Q2 which at 64 tonnes was a 70% drop and the second lowest in our quarterly series. This has been partially due to easing of lock down and some low prices in August that provided a small window of buying opportunities for the discerning.   Q3 tends to be relatively low generally due to seasonal factors like monsoons and inauspicious periods like Pitru-Paksh and Adhik Maas. Jewellery demand fell by 48% to 52.8 tonnes as jewellery purchases did not have any support of festivals or weddings. On the other hand, gold’s safe haven attribute

2nd African Diamond Conference held!

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AWDC & ADPA joins for a series of webinars!   The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) partnered with Belgium’s Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs and the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) organized a series of webinars on October 14, 21 and 28.  The 2nd African Diamond Conference was scheduled to open in May 2020 at Durban, South Africa. Given the global situation of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference took place via the virtual platform.   The webinars aimed to connect the industry members to share information on the opportunities and challenges of diamond producing countries in Africa as well as the overall situation of the diamond industry.    “Earlier this year, we had to make the difficult decision to postpone the second edition of the African Diamond Conference. However, even though we can’t meet each other in person, it's important to stay connected and exchange knowledge, through our African Diamond Conference: Webinar Series” sai

KGK accolade with two awards!

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Significantly invested in…innovative approaches!   A more than a century old global conglomerate was bestowed upon with Industry Innovation of the year – Technology and Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – EMEA at JNA Awards, in a hybrid award ceremony.  As one of the pioneers in the gems and jewellery industry, KGK Group is renowned for its passion for artistic excellence and commitment to exceptional quality. KGK’s consistent growth, outlined by innovation, has strengthened its vertically integrated business portfolio ranging from mines to brands.   “We are delighted to have a long-standing association with the JNA Awards. This initiative gives us a valuable opportunity to connect ourselves with various industry partners and associates that demonstrate innovation, creativity, outstanding leadership, sustainability and best business practices.” states Mr. Sanjay Kothari, Vice Chairman, KGK Group. Going forward with endeavours across the globe, KGK has significantly invested in new

Festive season wearing steps out!

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  Enthralling in drop earrings!   Actress Shriya Pilgaonkar looked enthralling in drop earrings by Narayan Jewellers by Ketan and Jatin Chokshi as she stepped out to celebrate the ongoing festivities. Looking classic, the gold drop earrings in polki seemed to the perfect choice for the day. Taking a cue for your jewellery trousseau from Shriya Pilgaonkar’s latest look, it is a perfect combination if one plans to dress up this festive season. Narayan Jewellers by Ketan and Jatin Chokshi offers a wide range of intricate designs with contemporary and traditional motifs that are bound to add a touch of grandeur to all your festivities. Whether you wish to wear a gold bangle, a choker set or earrings set, Narayan Jewellers has you covered for every occasion.   "Well begun is half done" With this vision is mind, the saga of Narayan Jewellers was weaved with ingenuity and innovation. An enterprise of excellence, we craft our creation with values that encompass aesthetics, creativi

IGJA 2020 nominations open!

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  GJEPC invites nominations for the 47th edition of  India Gems & Jewellery Awards-IGJA 2020 A total of 32 awards are envisaged to be presented!   GJEPC invites nominations for the 47th edition of India Gems & Jewellery Awards (IGJA 2020), and the last date to file the nomination form is 3rd November 2020. The IGJA is recognition of the business excellence demonstrated by enterprises and entrepreneurs constituting the industry, and stands testimony to the industry’s growing standards of modern design, innovation, differentiation and uniqueness.   Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “The gem & jewellery industry is built on strong business ethics and has been able to self-regulate during any crisis. This was once again proved during the unprecedented Covid -19 crisis. For several decades now, entrepreneurs of this sector have put in great efforts to build their businesses, and the Indian gems and jewellery industry as a whole. India Gems & Jewellery Awards is recogni

NDC to launch Phase III strategy!

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Eying to introduce before the end of November!   Recently David Kellie, CEO-NDC said, “As we approach the festival and holiday period, I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the progress of our strategy and to give you a first preview of the next phase of our plans.” In my last update I shared with you the progress from the first phase of our new strategy as the NDC (Natural Diamond Council). We had launched our new website in the US, China and India and had made significant progress to transform our visibility and engagement on social media platforms in each market.   I am very pleased to say that this progress has continued. The engagement levels on each platform far exceed our most optimistic expectations and the traffic to our websites is close to 100 times greater than in 2019. When we set out our strategy, our target was to become the number one platform globally for sharing and celebrating the Diamond Dream and we are now long ways down the path to becoming

Global gold demand dropped by 19% y-o-y

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  Q3 grew investment demand by 21% y-o-y  Bar-coin investment jumped in Q3 by 49% y-o-y   Recently World Gold Council said, “Strong growth in global investment demand for gold in Q3 partially offset weakness elsewhere as consumers battled the effects of Covid-19!” Global gold demand dropped by 19% y-o-y to 892t in Q3, as consumers continued to feel the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This was the lowest quarterly total since Q3 2009. The Year-to-date demand of 2,972.1t was 10% lower versus the same period in 2019, according to the World Gold Council’s latest Gold Demand Trends report.   While overall demand declined, Q3 saw significant growth in investment demand which rose by 21% y-o-y. Investors globally bought 222.1t of gold bars and coins and an additional 272.5t through gold-backed ETFs. Year-to-date, gold ETFs have increased their holdings by a record 1,003.3t.   However, the combination of continued social distancing restrictions in many markets, the economic slowdown, an

Polishing activity back to pre-Covid levels!

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Rough diamond sales continue to recover!   Sarine Technologies Ltd, a worldwide leader in the development, manufacture and sale of precision technology products for the evaluation, planning, processing, finishing, grading and trading of diamonds and gems, wishes to update its investing public on improving results in the Group's businesses.   In continuation to our update to the public dated 01 September 2020 on improving conditions overall in the diamond industry value chain, we are pleased to report that the trend noted in said update has continued and even gained momentum. Indeed, the preliminary sales figure for De Beers Cycle 7 rough diamond sales in August, then noted as US$ 287 million, has been revised upward to the final figure of US$ 320 million. Furthermore, the preliminary figure for De Beers Cycle 8 rough diamond sales in October stands at US$ 467 million. Other major producers' sales of rough diamonds have increased commensurately. Rough prices at these two cyc

LGD consumers’ attitude 2020 opens!

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MVEye revealed LGD report!   Update 2: MVI Marketing LLC (The MVEye), the leader in market research for the global gem, jewelry and watch industries, announced the completion of its 2020 Lab-Grown Diamond Consumer and Trade Market Research Report entitled Gaining Critical Mass.   The report, presented at a live, interactive webinar event on 29 October 2020, is the result of comprehensive, quantitative online studies and video interviews with consumers, along with one on one evaluation of jewelry retailers.   As an industry, Hurwitz advocates that jewelers remember they’re in the love and emotions business. “It doesn’t matter what consumers have assigned that emotion to, jewelers have to make a profit on it; that’s the goal. Hanging on to one product that sells love may not be a good idea. Present consumers with a choice, present both mined and lab-grown diamonds, and make money with the products they value and see as love. Let them choose.” Key findings revealed in the report in