De Beers reported sales of $332 million for the 10th and final sales cycle of 2021 compared with sales of $438 million for the preceding 9th cycle and $452 million in the 10th cycle of 2020.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “Rough diamond demand and midstream sentiment continued to be positive in the final sales cycle of 2021, although as anticipated we saw some impact on sales ahead of the seasonal closure of polishing factories in southern Africa over the Christmas period.

“Nonetheless, despite the ongoing challenges of Covid-19, our rough diamond sales for the year are higher than what we saw in 2019 before the onset of the pandemic, and much higher than our sales in 2020. Consumer demand for diamond jewellery is continuing to perform very well over the key holiday period, so we head towards the new year with positive trading conditions and industry sentiment.”