Consumers have cut back on buying the stones in response to the cost of living crisis

Financial Times

Diamonds: war, not sanctions, have cut prices for Russian gems 

A 39-year-old director of a diamond broking firm who allegedly fraudulently imported rough diamonds by overvaluing them, in contravention of provisions of Customs act, was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

The Times of India

Diamond firm director arrested in fraudulent import of stones case

Belgium is among the largest wholesale buyers of rare gems from Moscow, and local professionals fear that a Western ban on Russian diamonds could result in less oversight.

Euronews

Russian diamond sanctions in G7's sights, but doubts remain over impact of ban

Diamond Standard creates bars and coins of measured values of gems but faces hurdles to launch futures contract and ETF

US firm aims to cut investors in on $1.2tn diamond market

Mined and simulated diamonds differ greatly when it comes to price — and synthetic diamonds might not be as sustainable as you thought.

HuffPost

What's The Difference Between Natural And Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Officials hail new technical breakthrough in effort to trace Russian diamonds



Politico

Tracking Putin’s diamonds: G7 push to ban Russian gems gathers pace

Botswana may not renew a five-decade sales agreement with De Beers if the diamond producer doesn’t offer a larger share of rough diamonds to the state’s gem trading company, Okavango Diamond Company (ODC).

Mining.com

Botswana threatens break-up with De Beers in push for better diamond deal

Diamonds have been the go-to material for rings for people who have wanted to make a bold statement for centuries. Historically, the only available options for diamonds were natural diamonds. 



DU Clarion

There is only one difference between natural & lab grown rings – & it doesn’t matter

President threatens to abandon diamond producer unless country’s share of rough stones is increased


Botswana seeks better De Beers deal after taking Belgian diamond processor stake

President threatens to abandon diamond producer unless country’s share of rough stones is increased 

Botswana seeks better De Beers deal after taking Belgian processor stake

‘Lab-grown diamonds, branded wrongly as fake, are a $22 billion market across the world’.


The Sunday Guardian

India’s lab diamonds give jitters to global markets

Diamonds are actually rarer than we thought but a good way to find them is to follow their purple pals.


IFLScience

We Used To Think Diamonds Were Everywhere. New Research Suggests They’ve Always Been Rare

Natural diamonds are formed at great heat and pressure deep underground and, since the 1950s, scientists have been trying to recreate that process above ground. Now the government wants India to become a key player in the lab-grown diamond business.

The revolution underway in India's diamond industry

A diamond discovered at an Arkansas state park has been dubbed "Bud" by the man who discovered it. "That's for 'Big, Ugly Diamond,'" said David Anderson, a lucky tourist from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

'Big Ugly Diamond' discovered by Arkansas state park visitor

Glittering with 17, 524 diamonds and 113 natural blue sapphires set in 14-karat gold, the “Srinika” timepiece created by Renani Jewels of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India holds the current Guinness World Record holder for embodying the most diamonds set on a watch. 

Forbes

Renani Jewels Watch Containing 17,524 Diamonds Enters Guinness Book Of World Records

Manufactured in a factory, lab-grown diamond retailers spruik claims about the stone’s conscientiousness and sustainability, drawing in brides-to-be across the globe as shoppers distance themselves from the mined diamond industry’s exploitative past.



The Sydney Morning Herald

Lab-grown diamonds are marketed as the ethical choice. Are they really?

If the Chinese buying does not pick up, then the overall cut and polished diamond exports - a major forex earner for the country - are likely to drop by 10% in 2023-24 compared to FY23, Vipul Shah, chairman of Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said.

The Economic Times

Chinese diamond demand may take time to shine again

The G7 summit in Japan could be the moment to agree an international plan to trace conflict diamonds.

Putin’s blood diamonds: EU countries push for sanctions by May

Jewelry shoppers are increasingly eying lab-grown diamonds and gemstones, a trend fueled by comparatively high for mined diamonds, increased availability and a growing desire for sparkling statement pieces. 

Modern Retail

Lab-grown diamonds are being embraced as affordable luxury options

Ahead of King Charles’s coronation on May 6 2023, Buckingham Palace has announced that Camilla, the Queen consort, will be wearing a modified version of the crown made for Queen Mary, the consort of George V. 

The Conversation

No ordinary diamond: how the Koh-i-Noor became an imperial possession

Precious Metals & Gems | Diamond

Green hydrogen, which produces hydrogen without the use of fossil fuels or the emission of carbon dioxide, has become increasingly important in recent years as part of efforts to realize a decarbonized economy

Tech Xplore

Developing technologies to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production

A 25-year deal published this week by the Congolese government hands a little-known UAE firm exclusive rights to export artisanal gold at preferential rates, prompting criticism it will solve none of the issues it was meant to address

Congo-UAE gold export deal raises ‘great concerns’

Heavily armed soldiers have fired shots to disperse protesters in the gold mining town of Obuasi, in the Ashanti region of Ghana, amid an army crackdown on miners whom the government sees as illegal.

Al Jazeera

Protesters clash with soldiers at Ghana gold mining town

Botswana wants to maintain its partnership with De Beers and is confident that ongoing negotiations for a new diamond sales agreement will succeed, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Reuters

Botswana says it is still keen on De Beers partnership, confident of new deal

Nova Scotia is embarking on what many are calling its fourth gold rush -- but instead of panhandling for chunks of gold, mining operations in the province today consist of massive tailings ponds, enormous open pits extracting small traces of gold and a climate toll that one expert says we’re not properly tracking.

CTV News

Nova Scotia's modern 'gold rush' poses huge risk to climate, expert warns

Having gone to the market seeking A$25 million, successful Guinea gold explorer Predictive Discovery has come back to its Perth headquarters with a reported $40.4 million worth of investor demand.

Mining News

Strong backing for Predictive venture that could be Guinea's biggest gold mine

Brazil's foremost criminal group, the PCC, is providing a range of support to illegal gold miners in the Amazon

Insight Crime

Brazil's PCC Complicates Fight Against Illegal Mining in Amazon

Canadian mining company Fortuna Silver Mines has poured the first gold at its Séguéla mine in Côte d’Ivoire, as the mine entered the ramp-up phase.

Mining Technology

Fortuna Silver reports first gold pour at Côte d’Ivoire mine

The United Arab Emirates has become a key trade hub for Russian gold since Western sanctions over Ukraine cut Russia's more traditional export routes, Russian customs records show.

From Russia with gold: UAE cashes in as sanctions bite

EPA holds ‘drop-in’ session to answer questions about health and drinking water but concerns remain

The Guardian

Anxiety stirs in NSW community as Cadia mine investigated over heavy metals in blood tests

Russian gold shipments to the UAE, China and Turkey

According to Oriole Resources, Managem Group will continue to fund the AGEM Senegal Exploration earn-in on the Senala gold project, with the terms of a 2018 option agreement stipulating that Managem Group has the option to earn up to a maximum 70% interest in the project by 28 February 2024, subject to a total spend of $8 million.

Energy Capital & Power

Activities Resume at Senala Gold Project in Senegal

A fire that led to the death of 27 miners at a Peruvian mine has prompted questions about the rigor behind a Swiss government-backed effort to improve safety and working conditions in the gold supply chain

swissinfo

Swiss responsible gold standard faces questions after mining accident in Peru

The US has sanctioned some of Russia’s biggest gold miners, as it imposes fresh penalties on the country’s metals and mining sector

Bloomberg

US Imposes Sanctions on Some of Russia’s Biggest Gold Miners

South African miner says move to New York will allow it to access deeper pool of investors

AngloGold Ashanti to switch primary listing to New York

Primera Gold, a joint venture between the Congolese government and the United Arab Emirates, operates with a transparency that is highly unusual in conflict-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Experts say illicit trade in gold and other minerals in eastern DRC has long fuelled the dozens of armed groups that have plagued the region for decades. Much of the trafficked minerals are thought to transit through neighbouring countries, particularly Rwanda.

France24

East DR Congo gold venture aims to stamp out illicit trade

The accumulative gold metal reserve of Xiling gold mine in Laizhou, East China’s Shandong Province reached 580 tons after latest detection, becoming China’s largest single structured gold mine, local media press Qilu Evening News reported on Thursday.  

Global Times

China discovers largest gold mine in Shandong with 580 tons of reserve

One of Guyana’s smallest Amerindian villages is waging a monumental battle that could decide the amount of control that thousands of indigenous people have over their land in remote parts of this South American country



ABC News

Tiny Amerindian village in Guyana fights gold mine in key court battle over indigenous land rights

Sudan’s official gold industry, the country’s largest revenue earner, has totally collapsed due to a spiraling month-old conflict in the North African nation, the head of the state-run mining company said.

Conflict brings Sudan’s lucrative official gold trade to a halt

Brazil has become a popular choice for many Venezuelans partly because of a five-year-old program that offers eligible applicants work permits and even free flights to faraway parts of the huge country


El Pais

Brazil sends thousands of Venezuelan migrants to country’s rich southern states

Precious Metals & Gems | Gold

It is more likely that the first phase of resource depletion will be that not everyone who was previously able to afford a particular resource will continue to have access to it at affordable prices

Resilience

Platinum: It doesn’t have to run out to become unavailable

South Africa accounted for over 70% of global platinum production between 2016 and 2020, and over 80% of global iridium production, while Zimbabwe serves as the world’s third largest producer of platinum and second largest producer of iridium.

African Critical Minerals: The Key to a Green Energy Future

Gold and platinum prices held steady with slight increases on Tuesday, but silver and palladium both took a hit, experiencing noticeable losses.


CoinNews

Gold’s Price Remains Steady As Silver Suffers Loss

On Tuesday, precious metals advanced together, with gains ranging from 0.6% for gold to 5.3% for palladium. Increases in gold and silver were their first in three sessions.

Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium Prices Rise on Tuesday, April 18

Astroforge, a startup with plans to mine asteroids, is getting ready to launch the first of its two missions on Friday, of which the main objective is to test the firm’s technique for refining platinum from a sample of asteroid-like material. 

Asteroid mining startup AstroForge readies first mission

As automobile electrification speeds up, the world faces an overwhelming need for critical metals and minerals to make atmosphere-saving electric vehicles possible.

Critical metal needs rise while cars, trucks decarbonize

Gold pulled back towards the support level at $2010. Silver continued its attempts to settle above the psychologically important $25.00 level. Platinum received strong support near $1000.

FX Empire

Gold, Silver, Platinum – Gold Pulls Back Amid Profit-Taking

Silver moved towards the $25.00 level as traders focused on weaker dollar and falling Treasury yields. It should be noted that silver managed to get above the important resistance area at $24.00 – $24.50, so a potential short squeeze may serve as an additional positive catalyst for silver markets.

Gold, Silver, Platinum – Silver Price Skyrockets As Dollar Tests New Lows

An Osaka futures market whose roots go back to 17th-century rice trading is quietly attempting a comeback through small-lot trading of gold, silver and platinum.

Nikkei Asia

Japan's historical futures market reborn as precious metals exchange

Platinum remains stuck near the 50 EMA at $980. The recent attempt to settle below this level was not successful, and it looks that platinum markets will need additional catalysts to move out of the recent trading range.

Gold, Silver, Platinum – Gold Pulls Back As Treasury Yields Rebound

The price of platinum is forecast to surge this year thanks to factors including power cuts in South Africa, the war in Ukraine and the increased production of hybrid cars.

CNBC

Power cuts, war, and hybrid cars are predicted to cause a platinum price surge in 2023

The platinum market is expected to tighten this year, with supply challenges and a pick-up in demand leading to a supply deficit for the first time in three years. 

Barron's

Step Aside, Palladium. This Precious Metal Is About to Shine.

The total cost of ownership (TCO) of platinum-based hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) is forecast to be less than that of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2026, and less than that of internal combustion engines (ICEs) by around 2027, with an overall estimated 50% FCEV cost decline in the next ten years. 

Mining Weekly

Platinum-based hydrogen fuel cell vehicles forecast to be TCO unrivalled by 2026/7

The precious metal platinum is one of the most sought-after and valuable commodities in the world.

Benzinga

Why is platinum so expensive?

Precious Metals Plating Market 2023 with 108 Pages Report and enhance with extents shares into sub-counties are covered in this market. Precious Metals Plating Market conditions can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including economic policies, geopolitical events, and technological developments.

Digital Journal 

Precious Metals Plating Market Production Growth, Demand and Supply Analysis 2023 to 2029

The hydrogen economy continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and one of Canada's prairie provinces is looking to break ground on the country's first 100% hydrogen-fueled community this year.

KITCO

Hydrogen continues to be a game changer for platinum as Alberta looks to develop Canada's first hydrogen-powered community

South Africa's electricity crisis and the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine will reduce the global supply of platinum group metals (PGM) in 2023, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) (AMSJ.J) chief executive officer said on Monday.

Amplats says South Africa power woes, Russia to hit 2023 PGM output

Traditional mining companies in Sweden and Australia can help decarbonise our mining sectors, giving us a key competitive advantage.

Our experience of permits, environmental approvals and consultation with traditional owners might also be of interest. 

More specifically, there are clear links in the mutual interest of Australia and Europe in strengthening investments in critical minerals. 

Minister for Industry and Science

Remarks to the Sustainable Mining Summit

Platinum prices declined in European trade for the second session to three-month lows as the dollar strengthened against a basket of major rivals following strong US inflation outlook data.

economies

Platinum sharpens decline to three-month trough as dollar strengthens

Precious Metals & Gems | Platinum

Tribal governments have implored Barrick Gold’s board of directors to withdraw financial support from the development of a mine that is proposed to be built in the headwaters of our people’s life source, the Kuskokwim River.

Anchorage Daily News

U.S: The Donlin gold mine poses too much risk to our lands in Southwest Alaska

University of Technology developed a method that allows for the recovery of 100% of the silver and about 85% of the indium contained in thin-film solar cells. The new process is considered environmentally friendlier than existing methods.

New method allows for recovery of 100% of the silver in thin-film solar cells

Several high-performance thermoelectric materials have been discovered over the past two decades, but without efficient devices to convert the energy they produce into emission-free power, their promise has been unfulfilled. Now an international team of scientists led by a University of Houston physicist and several of his former students has reported a new approach to constructing the thermoelectric modules, using silver nanoparticles to connect the modules’ electrode and metallization layers.

News wise

Silver nanoparticles spark key advance in thermoelectricity for power generation

Investors may want to add silver to their portfolios as the gold-silver ratio indicates a shift in preference to the cheaper metal, driven by recent rises in gold prices and increased industrial demand. Both gold and silver have risen about 11% so far in 2023, but analysts believe that the rally in silver prices could last longer given its wide industrial usage.

Economic Times

Silver's the new gold for your portfolio, can hit Rs 90,000 soon

Scientists from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden developed a new method to efficiently recover precious metals from thin-film solar cells

Waste Management World

Scientists found method to recycle 100% silver from solar cells

Silver has been struggling in recent trading sessions, as the market continues to exhibit a high level of volatility.

DailyForex

Silver Forecast: Continues to See Buyers on Dips

Gold and silver remain well supported in their technical uptrends, but both precious metals have some slowing momentum as hedge fund positioning becomes more nuanced in the marketplace.

Gold and silver hit a brick wall as hedge fund buying cools down

Unlike gold, silver has a strong industrial component, meaning that pricing is heavily influenced by demand from the industry. 

Silver Forecast: Continues to Look Overbought

New federal rules are expected to speed the transition to E.V.s, a shift that car companies have embraced but will be challenged to carry out.

The New York Times

Automakers Face Test in Reaching U.S. Target for Electric Vehicles

With recent bank closures, high inflation and an overall worrisome economic climate, many investors looking closer at their investments . Some are considering moving into safer assets that can hold their value and provide long-term financial protection.

CBS News

Gold and silver investments: Which is better?

After retailing on the higher side in the Indian market yesterday, both gold and silver prices have edged lower on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on Wednesday, March 29. Gold futures, maturing on June 5, 2023, stood at Rs 59,590 per 10 grams on the MCX, after recording a marginal dip of Rs 168 or 0.28 per cent.

India Today

Gold, silver price today, Mar 29, 2023: Precious metals witness dip on MCX

Precious metals recorded across-the-board losses at the beginning of the trading week on Monday. The losses ranged from 0.7% for both platinum and palladium to 1.5% for gold.

Gold, Silver and Other Metals Decline on Monday, March 27

A tiny fragment of gilded silver treasure found by a keen detectorist has left experts baffled.

Roman silver fragment found in Diss baffles experts

Gold prices rose by Rs 650 from yesterday's close during Friday's early trade with ten grams of 24 carat gold trading at Rs 59,780. Silver prices also surged by Rs 1,000 as the precious metal was selling at Rs 72,600.

Business Standard

Gold rises by Rs 650 to 59,780, silver surges Rs 1,000 to Rs 72,600

Precious Metals & Gems | Silver

Russian gold is heading to obscure buyers and merchants across Hong Kong, Turkey, and the UAE.

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