State-owned diamond miner, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), has weathered the storm after experiencing a turbulent trading environment for the last six months, marked by depressed diamond prices and, most recently, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The influx of lab-grown diamonds has affected demand for natural diamonds, leading to softening prices of the precious stones. Official figures show that in 2024, international diamond prices averaged US$25,15 per carat compared to US$28,84 in 2023 and a peak of US$74 in 2018.The volatility in global diamond markets and shifting domestic conditions has not only affected local diamond miners but has also had ripple effects across the globe, characterised by mine closures and downscaling of operations by major producers. More on  https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/zcdc-weathers-storm-as-diamond-sector-faces-headwinds/