Mixed sentiment amid slow trading. Expectations rising for 2H recovery as US shows signs of improvement despite lingering economic uncertainty. Hong Kong fair demonstrates pent-up Chinese demand, with buyers testing price points. Dealers happy to reconnect with Chinese market after Covid-19 disruptions. Small-stone segment strong; some concerned that recent rough-price hikes outpaced polished, putting pressure on cutters’ profit margins. De Beers Feb. sales -24% to $495M. Sightholders planning larger purchases later in the year. Manufacturers increasing production but still operating well below capacity. Israel Feb. polished exports +80% to $642M, rough imports -10% to $101M.

The recent exhibitions saw strong footfall, but buyers’ price expectations made sales difficult.

David Kellie, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council, chats with Rapaport’s Avi Krawitz about the organization’s latest projects — including a rebuttal to the lab-grown sector’s sustainability claims, a path to partnering with other sectors of the trade, and the group’s ongoing work with brand ambassador Lily James.

To reduce waste, companies are recycling gold and silver from discarded electronics and film.