Guest: Rob Bates (8th Appearance)

In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, well respected Canadian diamond industry veteran Jon Phillips returns. The conversation begins with Paul and Jon analyzing the current state of the natural diamond market. They then discuss the “elephant in the room,” i.e. lab-grown diamonds, and the impact that the product is having on natural diamonds. Finally, the two talk about De Beers’ DIamondProof machine, Botswana marketing its diamonds and the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on the diamond and jewelry industry.   Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Jon Phillips Guest plug: More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

Author and industry expert Rob Bates joins Paul for the 8th time in episode #69 of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast. The episode begins with Paul airing his frustration over how some retailers are selling lab-grown diamonds. The two then discuss the current state of the larger diamond industry and the evolution of natural and LGD coexisting. Next, Rob shares what he sees as an analog between the debut of online diamond retailers in the 2000’s, such as Blue Nile, and the more recent mainstream introduction of LGD. The two go on to discuss treated natural diamonds, the global recession in luxury goods, and how Rob’s upcoming 4th book, “Making a Killing in Diamonds,” parallels some of the pertinent issues the diamond and jewelry industry faces.                                                                               Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Rob Bates Guest plug: www.robbatesauthor.com More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 68th episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Amelia Bourdeau returns for a macro-themed episode. The conversation begins with Paul and Amelia discussing the upcoming U.S. presidential election and the impact that it can have on the economy, financial markets and diamond demand. Next the two discuss the Federal Reserve’s latest move to cut interest rates and how it relates to inflation and employment in the U.S. Amelia then shares her views on the residential real estate market, especially as it pertains to her home state of Florida. Next, Paul analyzes the root of the current lull in the global diamond trade. Finally, Paul and Amelia talk about the economic state of China and what it means for the global economy and especially the luxury industry.   Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Amelia Bourdeau Guest plug: Amelia’s LinkedIn page More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 67th episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, long-time industry expert Erez Rivlin returns to the show. The conversation begins with Paul and Erez analyzing the severity of the current industry downturn. Next, the two share thoughts on the longer-term implications of lab-grown diamonds on the legacy diamond industry. Then, they talk about Western sanctions on Russian diamonds and Erez shares a story of when he was in Moscow in the midst of the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s. Finally, Paul and Erez talk about the future of diamond mining in Angola and the importance of a consumer recovery in China.                                                                                                                     Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Erez Rivlin Guest plug: www.diamondherald.com More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 66th episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, now-retired, long-time De Beers executive Charles Stanley joins the show. The episode begins with Charles recounting his earlier days at De Beers in the 1990’s, especially as it pertains to the marketing side of the business and the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign. Next, Paul shares his view on De Beers’ execution of the company’s Lightbox lab-grown diamond strategy. The two then share thoughts on the impact that LGDs have had on the natural diamond business while envisioning what the future could look like. Finally, Paul asks Charles what his natural diamond strategy would be today if the original De Beers marketing team were still together and the two discuss future geographic regions of growth for the diamond industry.   Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Charles Stanley Guest plug: Charles’s LinkedIn page More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

U.S.-based “master diamond cutter” Maarten de Witte joins Paul to discuss an array of industry topics. The episode begins with Maarten explaining what it’s like being an independent diamond manufacturer in American given that the large majority of this work is now done in India and China. Next, the two discuss the process of creating a proprietary diamond cut and Maarten tells the story of Hearts on Fire’s success. They then analyze the state of the lab-grown diamond market and share thoughts on how the larger diamond industry should approach marketing and branding. Finally, Maarten talks a little bit about living in Boise, Idaho, and his bonsai tree hobby.   Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Maarten de Witte Guest plug: www.americandiamondcutter.com More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 64th episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Andrew Rickard from RDI Diamonds, a large diamond and jewelry wholesaler in Upstate New York, joins the show. The episode begins with Paul and Andrew talking about Oak Hill Country Club of which Andrew is a member. Next, the two analyze the state of diamond inventory in the supply chain and how currently volatile diamond prices are impacting the trade. Then they share their intermediate and longer-term views on lab-grown diamonds and the impact on natural diamonds. Next, they discuss falling consumer engagement ring budgets, diamond grading from the standpoint of a wholesaler, and if retailers will pivot back to prioritizing the selling of natural diamonds (over LGD). Finally, the two discuss how Western sanctions on Russian diamonds could impact what is already a fragile diamond market.   Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Andrew Rickard Guest plug: www.rdidiamonds.com More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Anthony Tsang, CEO of The Future Rocks, returns. The conversation begins with Anthony giving an update on the company and the two discuss Chinese consumers’ acceptance of lab-grown diamonds. Paul and Anthony then discuss the background of the company’s proprietary “The Ring II,” a lab-grown diamond solitaire ring with a created sapphire shank. Then, the two talk about how falling LGD prices are impacting the retail business and what the downstream can do to maintain margins. Finally, Paul and Anthony discuss the macroeconomic situation in China and how imminent a recovery could be.   Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Anthony Tsang Guest plug: www.thefuturerocks.com More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 62nd episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, good friend of the show Amish Shah returns. The conversation begins with Paul and Amish analyzing the current “tornado” of factors impacting the global diamond industry: supply hangover, Russian sanctions, LGDs and a possible sale of De Beers. Next, Amish explains the sentiment of diamond manufactures in India and whether they will “give up” on natural diamonds. The two then discuss the future of the lab-diamond business and the macroeconomic effect of China and India on diamond demand. The recent Lightbox price cut and LGD profit margins are also discussed before the episode ends with a primer by Amish on Indian mangos.   Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Amish Shah Guest plug: www.altr.nyc, www.jevar.co   More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

Mystery novelist and JCK News Director Rob Bates returns to the show for a seventh time. The show begins with Paul analyzing whether the current diamond market softness is more cyclical or secular in nature. Next, Paul and Rob talk about how the retail segment of the trade is currently viewing lab-grown diamonds and whether a “pivot” back to natural diamonds is in the cards. The two then discuss what they got right and wrong about the evolution of LGD jewelry over the last decade. Next, Paul and Rob dissect a ruling by the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Agency pertaining to LGD producer Skydiamond and they share thoughts on news of for-profit gem-lab IGI reportedly considering a public offering. Finally, the two opine on the watch market and whether they would personally buy a Rolex.   Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Rob Bates Guest plug: www.robbatesauthor.com More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products   Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.   Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.