De Beers recorded a 24% fall year-on-year in rough diamond sales to $495 million for its second Sight of 2023. Sales were 9% higher than $454 million registered for the preceding first Sight of 2023.

Al Cook, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “In this, my first Sight update to the market, I am pleased to see continued steady demand for rough diamonds in line with our expectations for sales as the year progresses. For example, we know that Sightholders planned more of their purchases for later in 2023, given the economic uncertainty at the time they were taking their planning decisions at the end of 2022. It is also encouraging to see some positive trends in end client demand for diamond jewellery at the start of the year.”