We Wish to Build Globally Relevant SKY Gold: Akash Talesara
Israel’s Diamond Industry Under Severe Pressure
Did Natural Diamond Ind. Misjudge LGD Threat?
Despite Collapsing Hike Odds, Rising Yields Kept Indian Gold, Silver Below Their Floors
Snap Shot: Most of the damage in the week ending 2 October landed before the good news arrived, and the good news then failed to repair it. August core PCE inflation, released on 30 September, rose 3.0% from a year earlier against expectations of 3.3%, helped partly by methodology changes at the Bureau of Economic Analysis. September payrolls on 2 October then added just 29,000 jobs against forecasts near 90,000, with unemployment at 4.2% and August revised down to 133,000
Despite Collapsing Hike Odds, Rising Yields Kept Indian Gold, Silver Below Their Floors
Snap Shot: Most of the damage in the week ending 2 October landed before the good news arrived, and the good news then failed to repair it. August core PCE inflation, released on 30 September, rose 3.0% from a year earlier against expectations of 3.3%, helped partly by methodology changes at the Bureau of Economic Analysis. September payrolls on 2 October then added just 29,000 jobs against forecasts near 90,000, with unemployment at 4.2% and August revised down to 133,000
Top News
Antwerp Extremely Satisfied with India-EU FTA
Antwerp: The recently concluded trade agreement between the European Union and India provides for a reduction of India’s import duty on naturally polished diamonds of European origin, from 5.5% to 2.5%. This tariff reduction is the result of intensive lobbying efforts by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), in close cooperation with the European Commission. The measure represents a new boost for the Antwerp diamond industry and strengthens Antwerp’s attractiveness as a polishing centre. The reduced tariff is expected to have a positive impact on exports from Antwerp to India. “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the long-awaited trade agreement between Europe and India,” says Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC. “Thanks to AWDC’s intensive and sustained lobbying, in close cooperation with the European Commission, India’s import duty on polished diamonds has been reduced from 5.5% to 2.5%. This is an important boost for the Belgian diamond sector and is expected to have a positive impact on exports of Antwerp-polished diamonds to India. Moreover, this measure strengthens our competitiveness as a polishing center: diamonds polished in Europe will now be able to enter India at a more favourable tariff than before, and also compared to other major trading hubs. India is one of the fastest-growing consumer markets for jewelry and therefore also offers
BDB Pays Tribute on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Mumbai: the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) solemnly paid homage yesterday to the millions of Jewish lives brutally taken during World War II, marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the historic Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue in Mumbai. This global day of remembrance commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau and honors the memory of the six million Jews and countless others who were
India Should Focus on Incremental Changes in KP
Mumbai (By Suresh Chotai): More than two decades after the Kimberley Process (KP) was born, the diamond industry still faces an uncomfortable truth: the global system designed to keep “Conflict diamonds” out of the market is stuck in the past. The Kimberley Process defines conflict diamonds narrowly—stones used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. That definition made
EU Eliminates Duty on Indian G&J Imports
Mumbai: India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has welcomed the elimination of import duties on Indian gem and jewellery products under the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This removes 2-4% duties on precious jewellery, unleashing huge export potential with the 27-member EU bloc—home to the world’s elite buyers. India’s gem and jewellery (G&J) exports accounted for USD 30
18 Antwerp Diamond Co. Finance for Medicines in Botswana
Antwerp: Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Joy Bogolo Kenewendo, is visiting the Antwerp diamond sector this week to thank 18 diamond companies that jointly financed life-saving medicines and medical supplies. The Antwerp diamond community mobilised after Botswana declared a medical state of emergency this summer due to a severe shortage of essential medicines. Thanks to the funds raised, more
BDB Hosts RJC Roadshow & Board Meeting
Mumbai: Reinforcing its commitment to global best practices, Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) hosted the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Roadshow, bringing together international experts and industry professionals for focused discussions on responsible, transparent, and future-ready practices in the diamond and jewellery sector. Led by Mr. Dave Meleski, Chairman, RJC, the programme featured presentations by Ms. Suzanne Brooks, General Manager – Standards,
Progress Killed in Pursuit of the Impossible: WDC
Dubai: The World Diamond Council (WDC) yesterday expressed profound regret that a small number of Kimberley Process (KP) Participants blocked consensus on long-awaited reforms designed to strengthen protections for Africa’s diamond-mining communities. For three years, the KP Review and Reform Committee worked on the most ambitious reform effort in more than two decades. That work brought the KP closer than
Amber Pepper Appointed as CEO of NDC
London: The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) has announced the appointment of Amber Pepper as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 February 2026. A seasoned global leader in luxury brand transformation, Pepper brings a wealth of experience in driving commercial growth, digital innovation, and consumer-centric storytelling across some of the world’s most respected fashion and retail brands, including senior roles at Tapestry,
