Pressing Matters with Avi Krawitz

Botswana President Duma Boko has announced plans to double the country’s stake in De Beers to 30% and named the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as the government’s preferred bidder to acquire Anglo American’s 85% stake.In this episode of the Pressing Matters Podcast, Avi Krawitz speaks with economist Keith Jefferis about what this landmark decision means for Botswana. They assess the risks and opportunities of a larger stake in De Beers, the country’s reliance on diamonds, its diversification prospects in sectors such as copper and tourism, and the potential for Element Six to open new opportunities in technology.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: [email protected] • https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/ • https://www.instagram.com/the.diamond.press/

On this episode of Pressing Matters with Avi Krawitz, Avi speaks with Pritesh Patel, CEO of the Gemological Institute of America, about how science and technology are shaping the future of the diamond and jewelry industry. They discuss AI in diamond grading, GIA’s approach to lab-grown diamond grading, disclosures about diamond fluorescence and the role of technology in building consumer confidence. Other topics include shifts in the jewelry market, GIA’s investment in Tracr and the evolution of traceability, grading service fees, and the expansion of GIA’s gemology and jewelry education programs. Patel also shares his vision for a future-ready GIA as the Institute approaches its centennial in 2031. Chapters00:00 Introduction 02:33 GIA’s science, research and technology 04:50 Technology’s impact across the diamond industry 06:21 Technology and innovation in GIA’s grading process 08:42 AI, human graders and diamond grading 11:03 The expertise behind GIA’s grading work 13:23 AI, the jewelry industry and changing diamond demand 15:50 Global jewelry demand and shifting product mix 18:13 GIA’s expanding role in jewelry grading 22:57 Jewelry sales, grading intake and market trends 27:33 GIA’s grading fees and pricing approach 29:58 GIA’s new grading system for lab-grown diamonds 37:09 Industry adoption of GIA’s lab-grown grading system 41:53 GIA’s updated approach to diamond fluorescence 46:29 GIA’s investment in Tracr and diamond traceability 50:58 Connecting Tracr with GIA grading reports 53:18 GIA education programs and student demand 58:01 Gem Kids and building interest in gems 1:00:20 GIA’s vision for its 2031 centennial 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.comEmail: [email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/avikrawitz/https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/

Geopolitics is having a growing impact on the diamond trade, from US tariffs and sanctions on Russia-origin goods to tighter rules governing traceability and sustainability claims. Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, joins me to examine how Antwerp is navigating this changing environment, the role trading centers can play in influencing policy, and what the new regulatory reality means for the wider diamond market.Suggested Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Antwerp's Industry Challenges01:19 Karen Rentmeesters' Role and Industry Outlook02:17 Market Sentiment and Price Trends in 202603:10 Impact of Mine Closures and Supply Restraint04:32 Industry Mood and Strategic Thinking05:57 Supply Dynamics and Rough Market Trends07:19 Ecosystem and Supply Chain Resilience08:41 Changing Role of Antwerp in Global Trade11:07 Structural Shifts in Supply and Demand13:02 Marketing, Demand, and Industry Innovation14:56 Antwerp's Leadership and Future Positioning18:16 Information, Flexibility, and Industry Support22:59 European Regulation and Traceability27:34 Tariffs, Trade Agreements, and Market Access36:42 Impact of EU Legislation on Industry Practices45:38 Consumer Protection and Green Claims54:12 Regulatory Environment and Industry Adaptation01:00:24 Conclusion and Future Outlook

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 Introduction02:10 Why branding diamonds has always been difficult07:15 Did grading reports unintentionally commoditize diamonds?10:00 Why branding jewelry is easier than branding diamonds14:15 Building a brand around Botswana origin and traceability20:15 Do consumers really care where their diamonds come from?27:30 How independent jewelers can build their own brands34:35 Why selling "value" isn't the best natural diamond strategy40:20 Category marketing vs. retailer branding: Finding the balance47:00 De Beers, Origin, and the future of natural diamond storytelling

Avi is joined by Tom Chatham, chairman of Chatham Inc., to debate the current state and future prospects of the lab-grown diamond market. The discussion explores shifting market dynamics, technological advances in synthetic diamond production, industry challenges and marketing strategies, high-tech applications and niche markets, and efforts to establish a lab-grown industry body to advocate on the sector’s behalf. Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.

This debate explores the current state of category marketing in the natural diamond industry, focusing on strategies, metrics for success, and future campaigns like Desert Diamonds. Avi is joined by Sally Morrisoin, natural diamonds market lead at De Beers, to discuss how emotional storytelling and long-term planning are key to revitalizing consumer interest and demand. Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies. Learn more about Desert Diamonds: www.adiamondisforever.com

From the Kimberley Process to sanctions compliance, traceability rules, AML requirements and ESG reporting, the diamond trade operates under layers of oversight that few luxury sectors face. Supporters argue regulation protects consumer trust and shields the industry from reputational risk, while critics say it adds cost, slows trade, and disproportionately burdens smaller players without solving core structural problems. In this discussion, Avi and Feriel Zerouki, president of World Diamond Council (WDC), explore whether these rules are strengthening the industry’s long-term credibility or gradually squeezing its competitiveness in an already fragile market. Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.

In this discussion, Avi and diamond analyst Paul Zimnisky delve into the future of De Beers and the diamond industry as a whole.They discuss the implications of Anglo-American's divestment from De Beers, the challenges posed by lab-grown diamonds, and the need for a rebranding of the natural diamond market. The conversation also touches on the importance of inventory in retail and the evolving consumer preferences in the diamond sector. DiamondDebates is supported by Sarine Technologies.

In this episode of Diamond Debates, Avi is joined by Wes Tucker, CEO of Tracr, to unpack the proposition that the diamond industry must adapt to or risk decline by pivoting decisively toward value.The wide-ranging discussion explores structural shifts reshaping the market, from oversupply, mine economics, and geopolitical pressure, to changing consumer spending habits, the rise of lab-grown diamonds, and the growing importance of branding, design, storytelling, and traceability.Wes and Avi argue that broad, one-size-fits-all category marketing is losing effectiveness, and that future growth depends on clearer differentiation, higher-value product strategies, and more personalized retail experiences that reconnect diamonds with aspiration, rarity, and long-term emotional meaning. The conversation ultimately frames as a coordinated effort to rethink how value is created, communicated, and captured across the entire diamond pipeline.Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.

In this engaging debate, Avi is joined by David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, to examine where the diamond industry stands and where it is headed. They unpack the contraction of the natural diamond market, the rise of lab-grown alternatives, and the growing responsibility of retailers to actively stimulate demand. The discussion moves through manufacturing realities, the shift from volume to value, and the industry’s renewed emphasis on profitability over scale. The conversation closes on a measured but confident view that natural diamonds can reestablish equilibrium as the foundation for sustainable growth. Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.