India domestic diamond market very strong, but international sales very weak. De Beers frees sightholders from contracts for rest of year but does not cancel sights. De Beers September sight $200M, -61% YOY; YTD sales $3.4B, -31% YOY. Rapaport predicts total 2023 De Beers sales of $3.8B, -34% from 2022. De Beers-Botswana deal moves forward with “heads of terms” document. Rapaport warns trade not to approve WDC G7 protocol, as this will eliminate small- to medium-sized companies and reduce free-market competition. Okavango cancels November spot auction due to weak market. HB reinstates Oded Mansori in apparent attempt to save Botswana deal. Industry mourns former JCK editor Hedda Schupak. Country comments will return next week following the Jewish holidays.

This week’s list of top stories features unusual gold discoveries and a novel take on high jewelry.