De Beers Group’s Cycle 5 2019 (provisional) rough diamond sales (Global Sightholder Sales and Auctions) amounted to US$ 390 million, the lowest for the past 18 months.

While Cycle 4 2019 rough diamond sales (actual) amounted to US$ 416 million; sales for Cycle 5 2018 (actual) stood at US$ 581 million. Hence, the latest sale represents a drop of almost 33% y-o-y.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, commented: "While overall retail sentiment for diamond jewellery in the US remains solid, a more challenging environment in China and higher than normal polished diamond inventories in the midstream resulted in a cautious approach from rough diamond buyers during the fifth cycle of 2019."