Coral Special Report released!

With fewer than two weeks to go to the opening of the 2019 CIBJO Congress in Manama, Bahrain, on November 18, 2019, the ninth and the last of this year’s CIBJO commission Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Coral Commission, headed by Vincenzo Liverino, the report is dominated by environmental topics and in particular the efforts by the industry to address the impact of global warming. It also reports on the worldwide effort to protect biodiversity and the various coral species.

As the report notes, no precious coral species are considered endangered by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, although four varieties are listed in Appendix III, which requires the relevant authorities in each country to determine that specimens were acquired legally.

BMIX commences recovery of gold and diamonds

Brazil Minerals (BMIX) announced that its main site alluvial diamond and gold mining operation has started recovery of raw diamonds and fine gold. The concentrations obtained in processing of diamondiferous and auriferous gravel at the nearby recovery plant are increasing as sequentially lower levels of such alluvial material are reached.

Attached to this release is a recent photograph of the main excavation site. All equipment used in this operation belongs to the Company (or its subsidiaries) and therefore production costs are relatively low.

Lucapa on track to achieve the 2020

Lucapa Diamond continued its growth as a global producer of high-value diamonds in the September 2019 Quarter, the 3Q, delivering record quarterly diamond production from the Lulo and Mothae mines, while also building on the cutting & polishing strategy to generate additional margins beyond the mine gate.

The results leave the Lucapa group on track to achieve the 2020 production target of 60,000 carats of high-value diamonds from both the Mothae and Lulo mines (on a 100% basis). Lulo and Mothae continued to underline their status as large stone resources during the Quarter, with combined recoveries of 432 +4.8 carat diamonds, including 136 Specials (+10.8 carat diamonds).

Positive report for Karowe Underground

Lucara Diamond announces the results of a positive underground Feasibility Study to expand its 100% owned Karowe diamond mine, one of the world's most prolific producers of large, high value type IIA diamonds and the only diamond mine in recorded history to have produced two +1000 carat diamonds. 

The underground expansion at Karowe is expected to double the mine life, and generate significant revenue and cash flow out to 2040, extending benefits to the Company, its employees, shareholders, communities surrounding the mine, and Botswana.

It may be time to replace bonds with gold

Recently the Investment Update published by WGC says, It may be time to replace bonds with gold and this update is on the back of March 2019 ink, The impact of monetary policy on gold WGC says, An analysis based on historical returns for major asset classes suggests a 2%-10% optimal gold allocation for portfolios with various asset compositions, increasing as riskier assets are added.

But when we include lower expected returns for bonds based on the results from our model, we find that across most portfolios the optimal gold allocation increases by an additional 1%-1.5% . And for a hypothetical average pension fund portfolio, the optimal allocation with the maximum risk-adjusted return increases from 4.2% to 6.6%.

Diamond Grading Lab Class in Bengaluru

GIA India conducted a five-day Diamond Grading Lab Class in Bengaluru. Many students and industry professionals opted for GIA India’s course to help them gain a better understanding of diamond grading.

Participants gained hands-on experience with world-class equipment and were trained to grade and identify diamonds using GIA’s 4Cs of Diamond Quality (Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight) and the International Diamond Grading System. They also learned to detect laboratory-grown diamonds, treatments and simulants. In addition, the course taught participants how the 4Cs can affect value and the ways in which treatments can effect the appearance of a stone.

ASDI of SSEF at 100% precise

The Automated Spectral Diamond Inspection (ASDI) device, an automated small synthetic diamond screener that was first released in 2014 by the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF, has been evaluated by the ASSURE Program of the Diamond Producers Association (DPA) and proved to be one the few instruments to have successfully passed 100% of the tests administered.

This means that all stones categorised by the instrument as, diamonds were indeed natural diamonds, all diamond simulants were correctly sorted out, and all synthetic diamonds were correctly referred for definitive testing.

Five diamonds fetches over US$ 11.0 million

Unveiling the report for 3Q Gem Diamonds focussed upon the performance of Letšeng Mine & terms of the renewed mining lease were agreed with the Lesotho Mining Board, following a successful statutory negotiation process. The lease is renewed for an immediate period of 10 years with an exclusive right granted to Letšeng to renew the mining lease for a further period of 10 years.

DGCX trade crosses US$ 370bn

The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) is on course to break last year’s Annual Volumes record of 22.3 million contracts traded, having already traded 20.3 million contracts this year, valued at USD 373 billion. Last month, the DGCX traded 1.68 million contracts, and registered Average Daily Volumes (ADV) of 72,921, up 11.5% year-on-year (Y-O-Y).

DGCX’s success this year comes amidst continued global volatility and ongoing efforts to widen investor participation and enhance liquidity. Last month, the DGCX built on this momentum and expanded its member community, listing RAKBANK as a new Trade Member.

PGI creates a second wave for the Platinum Jewellery

In October, Platinum Guild International (PGI) hosted the two-day 2019 Platinum Jewellery Business Forum in China’s jewellery manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, which received widespread attention within the platinum and jewellery industry. The Business Forum was attended by leaders and distinguished guests from along with top figures and experts both from China and overseas.