Dear Friends, We are rapidly approaching the most important season of the year for natural diamonds, the holiday season. Although I remain optimistic about the long-term future of our industry, we are facing complex challenges in the short-term. We need to address these issues and make changes where necessary, even if this is uncomfortable or … Read more
Dear Friends, As we usher in the Jewish New Year, I want to share with you several positive developments in the diamond industry that inspire both encouragement and optimism. To begin, I extend sincere congratulations to the AWDC and the European Union for successfully securing a zero-tariff agreement on diamonds polished within the EU upon … Read more
Dear Friends, Signs of Spring are all over and the earth is emerging from its winter slumber. Spring signifies renewal and we are indeed seeing certain early signs of renewed growth in the diamond industry. The latest Hong Kong show was better than expected, and we saw improved sentiment and some increased demand in the … Read more
A few weeks before the Hong Kong show, the Hong Kong and China markets started to pick up after the Chinese New Year holiday. Sales and sentiment improved significantly. The Southeast Asian market also performed well over the past year, with local economies in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia showing strong growth. … Read more
Dear Friends, Last month in my President’s Letter, I called for the industry to unite behind a major marketing campaign to create demand for natural diamonds. Others also sounded this call, and for the first time it seems that we have been heard. It seems that we have found the golden formula that would enable … Read more
Antwerp, May 16, 2024: The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), the association of the world’s major diamond bourses, and the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), the only designated platform for diamond import and export in China, signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday to promote the development of the diamond market in China. The MOU follows … Read more
Dear Friends, Bourse presidents from around the world came together in Shanghai in early March for WFDB 2024 Presidents’ Meeting. This was an opportunity to discuss the most pressing issues facing the industry – the G7 restrictions, synthetic diamonds, and the lackluster Chinese market, which we did in expert panels, presentations, and intensive working sessions. … Read more
Ramat Gan, March 11, 2024: The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) concluded its annual Presidents’ Meeting for 2024, held in Shanghai, China. The three-day meeting explored the most pressing issues facing the world diamond industry – the G7 restrictions, synthetic diamonds, and the lackluster Chinese market — with expert panels, speeches, and discussions. The … Read more
Dear Friends, The year 2023 was a difficult one for the world diamond industry. There was a significant decline in demand, especially for mid-range sizes. The challenging global economic situation and high-interest rates impacted demand, although perhaps this was a case of the market correcting itself after the splurges in diamond and jewelry spending in … Read more
Dear Friends, We just concluded the 40th World Diamond Congress in Israel. The previous Congress was held virtually, by Zoom, at the height of the Corona virus pandemic in September 2020. This Congress marked the first opportunity to bring so many of our friends together. The theme was “Change and Innovation in the New Diamond … Read more
