SourcingJul 21, 2021
Alrosa’s First-Half Diamond Sales Top $2BSourcingJul 22, 2021
De Beers’ 2021 Production On Pace With 2019
The company has mined 15.4 million carats of diamonds so far this year, compared with 15.6 million in 2019.
An aerial shot of the SS Nujoma, the $157 million diamond exploration and sampling vessel launched in 2017 to search for diamond deposits off the Namibian coast. De Beers mined 338,000 carats of diamonds in Namibia in Q2, down 6 percent from the previous year. (© De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films)
London—De Beers’ diamond production has topped 15 million carats so far this year, putting it on pace with the amount it was mining pre-pandemic.
The company reported Tuesday that second quarter 2021 production totaled 8.2 million carats, more than double what it was in the second quarter 2020 (3.5 million carats) amid COVID-19 lockdowns across southern Africa, and up 6 percent versus the second quarter 2019 (7.7 million carats).
Production rose 214 percent year-over-year in Botswana to 5.7 million carats and 130 percent in South Africa to 1.3 million carats, but fell 6 percent in Namibia to 338,000 carats. The Mafuta marine mining vessel was undergoing maintenance, which was completed in Q2, and another vessel remains out of service.
In Canada, production was up 14 percent to 900,000 carats, also due to COVID-19 cutback measures taken in Q2 2020.
Year-to-date, De Beers has mined 15.4 million carats of diamonds, 37 percent ahead of where it was at this point last year (11.3 million carats) and flat when compared with 2019 (15. 6 million carats).
Related stories will be right here …
De Beers said diamond jewelry continues to sell, leading to strong demand for rough diamonds from cutting and polishing centers.
Its rough diamond sales totaled 7.3 million carats from two sights in Q2, reflecting the impact of the reduced midstream capacity in India due to the second wave of COVID in April and May, and 13.5 million carats from three sights in Q1.
De Beers said since the start of the year its rough diamond price index has increased 14 percent following the declines last year.
The company made the same observation Alrosa did in reporting its Q2 results earlier this week—low inventories and high demand are driving up rough prices.
Looking ahead, De Beers tightened its production outlook slightly, projecting a total of 32-33 million carats mined this year, down from the previous projection of 32-34 million.
The outlook is subject to market conditions and any further COVID-related disruptions.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
