Gaborone: De Beers sold rough diamonds with a value of $545 million in the second sales cycle (Global Sightholder Sales and Auction Sales) of 2017, indicating ongoing strong demand as the industry restocks.

The figure compares with $617 million in the year-earlier sale, and $729 million in the first sale of 2017 held last month.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “We continued to see good demand across our product range in the second sales cycle, which was in line with expectations at this time of year. Sentiment remains positive heading into the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show this week – an important barometer of trade confidence.”