Global Diamond Market Overview, 2024-29

Market Dynamic

Market Drivers • Supply dynamics: The global diamond market is heavily influenced by supply dynamics, which affect pricing, availability, and market trends. Diamonds, produced millions of years ago deep under the Earth's mantle, are very uncommon geological formations that require certain geological circumstances to form. As a result, the supply of natural diamonds is intrinsically limited, with only a small percentage of mined diamonds considered suitable for use in jewelry due to their quality and size. Major diamond-producing countries include Russia, Botswana, Canada, and Australia, all of which have considerable geological resources and diamond extraction facilities. These countries use a variety of mining techniques, ranging from open-pit mines to underground operations, to reach diamond reserves deep within the Earth's crust. Additionally, artisanal mining operations in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo contribute to the overall supply, albeit on a smaller scale. • Economic growth and wealth creation: Economic expansion and rising wealth levels are the primary drivers of the global diamond market. Diamonds are considered luxury commodities, and when economies expand and people amass wealth, there is a greater demand for luxury things like diamond jewelry. Emerging nations, particularly in Asia, have experienced rapid economic expansion in recent years, resulting in a boom in diamond consumption. Furthermore, discretionary spending on luxury items tends to rise during times of economic boom, increasing demand for diamonds. Market Challenges • Ethical sourcing concerns: One of the most pressing issues confronting the diamond business is maintaining ethical sourcing methods across the supply chain. Conflict diamonds, often known as blood diamonds, continue to erode customer confidence and ruin the industry's brand. Despite the introduction of efforts such as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which tries to reduce conflict in the diamond trade, there are still issues in maintaining compliance and guaranteeing transparency in diamond sourcing. • Shifts in consumer preferences: Changing consumer tastes and attitudes towards luxury items pose a challenge to the diamond business. Millennials and Generation Z buyers, in particular, prefer experiences over material goods and prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing in their purchase decisions. This demographic transition, combined with changing fashion trends and cultural norms, necessitates that diamond firms modify their marketing tactics and product offerings to align with shifting consumer tastes. Market Trends • Rise of lab-grown diamonds: Lab-grown diamonds are gaining popularity as buyers prioritize sustainability and ethical sources. These diamonds, which are chemically and physically comparable to natural diamonds but are created in a controlled laboratory setting, provide an environmentally benign alternative to mined diamonds. As production techniques improve and production prices fall, lab-grown diamonds become more accessible and affordable, posing a challenge to traditional diamond mining corporations. • Customization and personalization: There is an increasing desire for diamond jewelry designs that are customized and individualized to specific likes and preferences. Consumers are looking for unique and distinctive pieces that reflect their personality, lifestyle, and values, which is boosting demand for bespoke jewelry. Diamond firms are responding to this trend by providing customization choices such as engraved phrases, unique settings, and individual design consultations, allowing customers to create one-of-a-kind pieces that speak to them on a personal level. Covid-19 Impacts The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global diamond industry, causing disruptions across the entire supply chain and influencing both demand and supply dynamics. One of the primary challenges faced by the industry was the temporary closure of mines, cutting centers, and retail stores due to lockdowns and travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus. These closures led to a slowdown in diamond production, as mining activities were temporarily halted and manufacturing and trading operations were disrupted. On the demand side, the economic uncertainty triggered by the pandemic resulted in a decline in consumer spending, particularly on non-essential luxury items like diamonds. The closure of physical retail stores and restrictions on social gatherings also affected the demand for diamond jewelry, as traditional occasions for purchasing, such as weddings and celebrations were postponed or scaled down. Additionally, the decline in international tourism further impacted sales, as purchases by tourists have been a significant driver for the diamond market. The diamond industry also faced challenges related to the workforce, with labor shortages and difficulties in maintaining safe working conditions during the pandemic. Social distancing measures and health protocols disrupted the traditional practices of diamond cutting and polishing, slowing down the production process. Furthermore, the shift towards remote work and digital communication impacted the marketing and sales strategies of the diamond industry. Traditional in-person sales events and exhibitions were either canceled or moved to virtual platforms, requiring companies to adapt to new ways of reaching customers.

Key Development

• On November 2023, Tree Line Capital Partners, LLC announced the formation of WD Advanced Materials, LLC ("WDAM" or the "Company") in collaboration with the management team. WDAM is a new organization that has been established following the transition from its predecessor gemstone manufacturing entity, WD Lab Grown Diamonds. It is focused on technical diamond applications. WDAM will use its existing production operations and technological skills to develop revolutionary, next-generation diamond applications for burgeoning scientific and industrial markets. • On July 2023, Burgundy Diamond Mines Limited has successfully completed the acquisition of Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Limited shares, which included the Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada's Northwest Territories. Burgundy is now in an excellent and exciting position to expand its innovative strategy and explore additional growth potential as a world-class end-to-end diamond firm, thanks to the successful purchase. • On May 2023, Blackstone Inc., one of the world's leading alternative asset management firms, announced the USD 535 million acquisition of the diamond grading firm 'International Gemological Institute' (IGI). The acquisition is a huge step forward in Blackstone's India development plans. • In July 2023, Burgundy Diamond Mines Limited, a diamond mining firm, completed the acquisition of Arctic Canadian Diamond Company (ACDC). ACDC owns Ekati mine in the Northwest Territories region of Canada. The move is expected to help Burgundy Diamond Mines in its strategy of vertical integration across the diamond value chain.