Covid-19 driving move to digital
The emerald-cut, 28.86-carat diamond ring that garnered $2.1 million at Christie’s, marking a new record for the most expensive jewel sold in an online-only auction. (Image: Christie’s) As the diamond industry begins its recovery from the initial impact of Covid-19, its once-lagging progress toward digital is being vastly accelerated. While this will not be […]
Diamond Grading Gets an International Standard
The International Standards Organization (ISO) has approved its first grading guidelines for polished diamonds in an effort to achieve consistency among laboratories. The new ISO 24106 specifies the terminology, classification and methods that labs should use when grading and describing loose stones, the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) said recently. Implementing the instructions is voluntary, unless […]
Press Statement on appointment of CEO
Mark Mabhudhu appointed ZCDC CEO
Vastly experienced metallurgist, Mr Mark Mabhudhu, has been re-appointed Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) chief executive officer. In an internal memorandum dated September 2, ZCDC board chairman Mr Wellington Pasipamire said the appointment is with immediate effect. Mr Mabhudhu’s appointment means he is the first substantive CEO at the state-owned diamond miner since the […]
ZCDC on course to achieving transparency
11 September 2020 The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC)’s recent publication of its annual reports is a sign that the diamond sector is well on course towards achieving transparency in line with international best practice. Audited reports for Zimbabwe’s diamond sector had last been made public in 2013 amid accusations, back then, that the […]
African miner digs up 442-carat diamond
African miner Gem Diamonds said it has unearthed a 442-carat diamond at its Letseng mine in Lesotho. Bloomberg 23 August 2020 A small diamond miner that has dug up some of the world’s most valuable gems from a mountainous African kingdom has found another huge stone. Gem Diamonds said it unearthed a 442-carat diamond at […]
Zim targets 12m carats in 5 years
21 August 2020 Zimbabwe is targeting to grow diamond production from 3,5 million to 12 million carats by 2025, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando has said. Before Zimbabwe attains such lofty output it has to achieve an ambitious but achievable target of growing the diamond sector to a US$1 billion industry. […]
How COVID 19 has disrupted the diamond industry
13 August 2020 In the months of December 2019 and early January 2020, the diamond industry was experiencing a rise in the demand for diamonds and jewelry. This was until the COVID 19 pandemic struck affecting China which accounts for 15% of the global diamond market. The lockdown in China not only meant […]
Diamond giant pours US$38m into Chiadzwa
President Mnangagwa cuts the ribbon to mark the launch of Anjin Mining Company’s official resumption of work in Chiadzwa. He is flanked by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga (second from right), Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (right), Anjin board chairman Mr Jiang Qingde (second from left) and Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube (left). […]
Alrosa begins extensive diamond exploration
29 July 2020 The world’s biggest diamond producer, Alrosa, has begun extensive diamond exploration in an exercise that could easily be the country’s biggest ever diamond hunt. Although the country has bountiful mineral resources, it still remains under-explored. Previous exploration data believed to have been carried out by a Canadian firm that was contracted […]