De Beers Group announced today that the value of rough diamond sales (Global Sightholder Sales and Auctions) for the first sales cycle of 2020 was US$ 545 million, a rise of 9% compared to the same Cycle a year ago.

Sales for the Cycle are also significantly higher than the actual figure for the previous cycle (Cycle 10 of 2019) of US$ 426 million.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: "Demand for rough diamonds increased during the first Sight of 2020 following the end of year selling season and subsequent inventory restocking."