De Beers said rough diamond sales at its third sight of 2023 declined 5% year-on-year to $540 million. However, sales grew 9% versus the preceding second sight of the year. While sales at the third sight were slightly lower than the same period last year, which reported sales of $566 million, the company remains optimistic about the diamond industry’s future.
Al Cook, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “We have continued to see good demand for our rough diamonds over the third sales cycle of the year as we move into the second quarter of 2023. Sales were in line with expectations and we continue to see some encouraging positive trends in consumer demand for diamond jewellery, not least in China where we’re beginning to see some signs of recovery in consumer confidence following the relaxation of travel restrictions.”