RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has recently received "a number of" lab-grown or treated stones carrying natural-diamond reports and fake inscriptions, the organization warned.Clients submitted the stones for updated reports or verification services, but the grading documents that came with the goods did not match the stones, the GIA explained Tuesday. The weights and g...Read More

Access our research platformsSign-in to our platforms to access our extensive research, our latest insight, data and analytics and to connect to our industry experts.The coronavirus pandemic has had a massive impact on every part of the global economic system. In response, unprecedented stimulus measures have boosted many countries’ debt-to-GDP ratios to levels not seen since WWII. But even...Read More

RAPAPORT... Lucara Diamond Corp.'s sales fell in 2020 as the miner held back special-sized rough from its Karowe mine in Botswana in the first half amid weak market prices."The measures that Lucara took early in the pandemic, including the decision not to sell rough diamonds in excess of 10.8 carats..., helped protect and support prices for large, high-value diamonds that account for more than 70%...Read More

RAPAPORT... The diamond and jewelry trade had a relatively successful holiday season, considering the difficult consumer and trading conditions it experienced in 2020. However, rough and polished inventories remain at reasonable levels, even though production has increased and trading has improved, Rapaport Senior Analyst Avi Krawitz explained in the quarterly Diamond Trends Webinar last week.Whil...Read More

Access our research platformsSign-in to our platforms to access our extensive research, our latest insight, data and analytics and to connect to our industry experts.Back before coronavirus knocked “normal” out cold, the key issues for miners were sub-investment prices, rising requirements for ESG and decarbonisation. How things change. So while our base case view is that the recession...Read More

A summary of base metals premiums from across the globe for the week to Tuesday February 23.Read More

RAPAPORT... De Beers has increased rough-diamond prices by an average of around 4% to 5% at this week's sight as momentum in the market continues.The changes focused on rough above 1 carat, with prices of smaller diamonds stable, market insiders told Rapaport News. The hikes were around 2% to 4% in the 1- to 2-carat category, reaching up to 10% in the 5- to 10-carat sizes, a sightholder repor...Read More

Access our research platformsSign-in to our platforms to access our extensive research, our latest insight, data and analytics and to connect to our industry experts.On Friday 15th February 2019, Vale announced there was a fire affecting a conveyor belt system at its distribution centre in Malaysia. Vale anticipate this will result in a 10 to 15 day halt in operations and note that a planned 10 da...Read More

Access our research platformsSign-in to our platforms to access our extensive research, our latest insight, data and analytics and to connect to our industry experts.The New York Harbor Product Storage report is the first of its kind and relies on the same highly calibrated infrared camera, aerial diagnostic and proprietary technologies we use to measure and deliver our industry standard Cush...Read More

Access our research platformsSign-in to our platforms to access our extensive research, our latest insight, data and analytics and to connect to our industry experts.Rising stocks of concentrate, high treatment charges and difficulties in selling less desirable qualities of concentrate was expected to result in mine production losses over the next few years. But coronavirus has changed this dynami...Read More

Access our research platformsSign-in to our platforms to access our extensive research, our latest insight, data and analytics and to connect to our industry experts.Different markets, different cycles. Mining companies suffered for their sins in the downturn a little earlier than the oil and gas sector. Now they are emerging into a new upturn, also ahead of the game.  What challenges do...Read More

(IDEX Online) - A Hatton Garden jeweler has ditched the term "bridal" from all its literature.It also says it will no longer uses the word "her" when referring to ring sizes.Queensmith Master Jewellers, in the heart of London's traditional diamond area, describes itself as "Gay-Friendly" on its website.It says at least five per cent of its customers are from same-sex couples and says it is mo...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Ronnie VanderLinden has stepped down after eight years as president of the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA). In a farewell message he urges members - manufacturers, importers, and dealers - to embrace e-commerce.He writes: "The current focus of online business, an adjustment to the reality that has been pushed to the forefront for all of us,...Read More

An overview of the chrome ore and alloy markets on Tuesday February 23 and their latest price moves.China The domestic spot ferro-chrome market resumed its upward momentum after the Lunar New Year holiday (February 11-17). Inner Mongolia's continuing restrictions on ferro-alloy production means there is a supply shortage, which is feeding the bullish sentiment Many market participants anticipated...Read More

(IDEX Online) - A fund for Namibia's former political inmates of South Africa's notorious Robben Island prison is prospecting for diamonds.It is now seeking to extend its license to explore a 1,500-hectare concession along the Orange River on the Namibia/South Africa border for alluvial gems.Proceeds from the sale of diamonds will benefit the Namibian Former Robben Island Political Priso...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Signet has donated $1m to provide COVID-19 jabs for school staff in Akron, Ohio, USA.The jeweler has a long-standing charitable link with the city's Akron Children's Hospital, which had to suspend many non-essential procedures last year because of the pandemic."This gift comes at a critical time to help provide a valuable service to our local schools so our kids and their...Read More

Consolidation seeped into the complex on the London Metal Exchange during trading on Tuesday February 23, with copper the only one to close higher and most metals posting lower closing prices versus Monday, when all reached new 2021 highs.Nickel's three-month price, which reached $20,110 per tonne on Monday - the mosthighest level since May 2014 - was under selling pressure on Tuesday and fel...Read More

Industry association Verband Deutscher Metallh??ndler (VDM) has slammed proposals by the London Metal Exchange to close its open-outcry trading floor, increases fees and change its margin methodology, saying that these moves would contradict the LME's core mission to serve the physical metals markets and could lead to the elimination of the exchange's dates structure.The organization represents ar...Read More

China's auto output and sales gained year on year in January due to the government's continuous efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic, which helped support the prices of metal raw materials, Fastmarkets understands.The country produced 2.388 million units of vehicles in January, up by 34.6% from a year ago, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) data shows.China's automotive sales...Read More

A summary of Alumina Ltd's full-year 2020 results for the period ending on December 31, 2020.The results also include the 2020 results for Alcoa World Alumina & Chemicals (AWAC), 40%-owned by Alumina Ltd and 60% owned by Alcoa.In brief Alumina Ltd recorded a net profit after tax of $146.6 million for 2020, compared with $214 million in 2019. Excluding significant items, net profit would have been...Read More