The diamond and jewelry auction circuit in the first half of 2026 didn't provide any record breakers, but it did showcase, once again, how robust that high-end premium market is. Besides, there was no shortage of beautiful pieces that went under the hammer at Sotheby's and Christie's. Here are the top five diamond lots that sold in the first half. Which was your favorite? Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

De Beers has suspended operations at its Venetia diamond mine for two years, but this story goes far beyond weak diamond prices. In this video, I examine why the decision matters, how Venetia became a loss-making operation despite a $2.3 billion investment to prolong its life, what it means for the pending sale of De Beers, and why the move could signal a broader reshaping of the company and the diamond industry. Learn more about the Diamond Executive Report: https://www.thediamondpress.com/diamo... Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

In 30 years, will De Beers be a mining or luxury brand? Much depends on what the new owners will do with the retail operation now, in the short term… Rob Bates, Edahn Golan and I discuss on the latest episode of The Diamond Dudes podcast, out now!

In Episode 4 of The Diamond Dudes, Rob Bates, Edahn Golan, and Avi Krawitz unpack significant developments in the diamond industry, from De Beers' latest sight price adjustments and major cuts to its sightholder list, to what those changes reveal about the company's long-term strategy. The conversation explores the implications of global diamond production falling below 100 million carats for the first time, the evolving competitive dynamic between natural and lab-grown diamonds, shifting retail economics, and how jewelers can position both products in an increasingly polarized market. Along the way, the Dudes debate the future of the De Beers brand, examine changing consumer buying behavior, discuss why old mine cuts are suddenly surging in popularity, and look ahead to the key issues shaping the industry in the months ahead. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:06 De Beers pricing strategies and market adjustments 07:24 Impact of sightholder cuts on the diamond industry 10:13 De Beers’ retail and branding challenges 21:09 Global diamond production trends and future outlook 26:23 The future of diamond mining 29:17 Lab-grown vs natural diamonds 33:03 Retail dynamics and pricing strategies 39:41 Social implications of engagement ring pricing 42:31 Emerging trends in the diamond market Contact The Diamond Dudes: diamonddudespodcast@gmail.com

Pandora is an important jewelry company, but it is not the great diamond disruptor some are making it out to be. Despite the headlines around its expansion of lab-grown diamonds into Spain and Italy, lab-grown represented just 1% of Pandora's revenue in 2025. That's hardly evidence that the entire jewelry market has shifted. In my latest Diamond Minute, I separate the headlines from the hype, look at Pandora's actual lab-grown business, and explain why sensational claims often say more about the people making them than they do about the market. Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

The jewelry industry is increasingly being described as a "K-economy," where the market is splitting in two directions. At one end, consumers are buying fewer but more expensive natural diamond pieces. At the other, lower-priced jewelry, particularly featuring lab-grown diamonds, is driving volume. But is the luxury segment really booming, or are rising gold prices, tariffs and inflation creating the illusion of premium growth? This video explores how shifting consumer spending is reshaping the jewelry market, why the middle of the natural diamond market is under pressure, and how those retail trends are affecting manufacturers and diamond miners throughout the supply chain. If the industry hopes to restore long-term stability, it may need to rebuild the middle of the market rather than relying on growth at either extreme. Share your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to like and subscribe for more analysis of the global diamond and jewelry industry. Read Sherry Smith’s article: Jewelry Demand Isn’t Stronger, Prices Are Just Higher - https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/14866-jewelry-demand-isn-t-stronger-prices-are-just-higher Learn more about the Diamond Executive Report: https://www.thediamondpress.com/diamond-executive-report Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

“When perfection becomes just too common you start talking about the diamond first, and you’re not talking about the grades…” Do you agree with Sean about the new era the diamond trade is entering? Full episode of my conversation with Sean Dunn, president of J.R. Dunn jewelers on my YouTube channel. Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: https://thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • https://instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • https://linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/

In this episode of Diamond Debates, Avi Krawitz is joined by J.R. Dunn Jewelers President Sean Dunn to examine whether branding can counter an increasingly commoditized diamond market. The discussion explores why diamond branding has historically struggled, the relationship between category marketing and individual brand building, the growing importance of storytelling, origin and provenance, and how retailers can differentiate natural diamonds beyond the 4Cs. Drawing on Dunn's experience developing Botswana-sourced jewelry collections and traceable natural diamond programs, The conversation argues that preserving the value of natural diamonds increasingly depends on creating meaningful emotional connections through design, authenticity, and compelling human stories. Suggested Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:10 Why branding diamonds has always been difficult 07:15 Did grading reports unintentionally commoditize diamonds? 10:00 Why branding jewelry is easier than branding diamonds 14:15 Building a brand around Botswana origin and traceability 20:15 Do consumers really care where their diamonds come from? 27:30 How independent jewelers can build their own brands 34:35 Why selling "value" isn't the best natural diamond strategy 40:20 Category marketing vs. retailer branding: Finding the balance 47:00 De Beers, Origin, and the future of natural diamond storytelling Who am I? If you're in the diamond and jewelry trade and we haven't met, our introduction is long overdue. I'm a journalist turned entrepreneur and content creator, explaining the diamond market through video, podcast and writing. I share my thoughts about industry developments, and the story of this fascinating world of diamonds. Join our community: • Website: www.thediamondpress.com • Email: avi@avikrawitz.com • www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ • www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/