The Avi Krawitz Podcast is a place where I chat with leading personalities and executives in the diamond industry.
Find me at:
Website: www.thediamondpress.com (http://www.avikrawitz.com)
Email: avi@avikrawitz.com (mailto:avi@avikrawitz.com)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avi.krawitz/ (https://www.instagram.com/avi_krawitz/)
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Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/avi_krawitz (https://www.tiktok.com/avi_krawitz)
Geopolitics is having a growing impact on the diamond trade, from US tariffs and sanctions on Russia-origin goods to tighter rules governing traceability and sustainability claims.
Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, joins me to examine how Antwerp is navigating this changing environment, the role trading centers can play in influencing policy, and what the new regulatory reality means for the wider diamond market.
Suggested Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Antwerp's Industry Challenges
01:19 Karen Rentmeesters' Role and Industry Outlook
02:17 Market Sentiment and Price Trends in 2026
03:10 Impact of Mine Closures and Supply Restraint
04:32 Industry Mood and Strategic Thinking
05:57 Supply Dynamics and Rough Market Trends
07:19 Ecosystem and Supply Chain Resilience
08:41 Changing Role of Antwerp in Global Trade
11:07 Structural Shifts in Supply and Demand
13:02 Marketing, Demand, and Industry Innovation
14:56 Antwerp's Leadership and Future Positioning
18:16 Information, Flexibility, and Industry Support
22:59 European Regulation and Traceability
27:34 Tariffs, Trade Agreements, and Market Access
36:42 Impact of EU Legislation on Industry Practices
45:38 Consumer Protection and Green Claims
54:12 Regulatory Environment and Industry Adaptation
01:00:24 Conclusion and Future Outlook
24 Jun 2026
Diamond Debates: Can Branding Preserve Diamond Value?
In this episode of Diamond Debates, Avi Krawitz is joined by J.R. Dunn Jewelers President Sean Dunn to examine whether branding can counter an increasingly commoditized diamond market.
The discussion explores why diamond branding has historically struggled, the relationship between category marketing and individual brand building, the growing importance of storytelling, origin and provenance, and how retailers can differentiate natural diamonds beyond the 4Cs.
Drawing on Dunn's experience developing Botswana-sourced jewelry collections and traceable natural diamond programs, The conversation argues that preserving the value of natural diamonds increasingly depends on creating meaningful emotional connections through design, authenticity, and compelling human stories.
Suggested Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
02:10 Why branding diamonds has always been difficult
07:15 Did grading reports unintentionally commoditize diamonds?
10:00 Why branding jewelry is easier than branding diamonds
14:15 Building a brand around Botswana origin and traceability
20:15 Do consumers really care where their diamonds come from?
27:30 How independent jewelers can build their own brands
34:35 Why selling "value" isn't the best natural diamond strategy
40:20 Category marketing vs. retailer branding: Finding the balance
47:00 De Beers, Origin, and the future of natural diamond storytelling
8 May 2026
Lab-Grown Diamonds at an Inflection Point
Avi is joined by Tom Chatham, chairman of Chatham Inc., to debate the current state and future prospects of the lab-grown diamond market. The discussion explores shifting market dynamics, technological advances in synthetic diamond production, industry challenges and marketing strategies, high-tech applications and niche markets, and efforts to establish a lab-grown industry body to advocate on the sector’s behalf.
Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.
30 Apr 2026
Reenergizing the Natural Diamond Story
This debate explores the current state of category marketing in the natural diamond industry, focusing on strategies, metrics for success, and future campaigns like Desert Diamonds. Avi is joined by Sally Morrisoin, natural diamonds market lead at De Beers, to discuss how emotional storytelling and long-term planning are key to revitalizing consumer interest and demand.
Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.
Learn more about Desert Diamonds: www.adiamondisforever.com (http://www.adiamondisforever.com)
25 Feb 2026
Is the Diamond Industry Overregulated?
From the Kimberley Process to sanctions compliance, traceability rules, AML requirements and ESG reporting, the diamond trade operates under layers of oversight that few luxury sectors face. Supporters argue regulation protects consumer trust and shields the industry from reputational risk, while critics say it adds cost, slows trade, and disproportionately burdens smaller players without solving core structural problems.
In this discussion, Avi and Feriel Zerouki, president of World Diamond Council (WDC), explore whether these rules are strengthening the industry’s long-term credibility or gradually squeezing its competitiveness in an already fragile market.
Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.
11 Feb 2026
De Beers Cannot Thrive as Both Miner and Luxury Brand
In this discussion, Avi Krawitz and diamond analyst Paul Zemniski delve into the future of De Beers and the diamond industry as a whole.
They discuss the implications of Anglo-American's divestment from De Beers, the challenges posed by lab-grown diamonds, and the need for a rebranding of the natural diamond market. The conversation also touches on the importance of inventory in retail and the evolving consumer preferences in the diamond sector. Diamond
Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.
4 Feb 2026
Adapt or Die: The Diamond Industry Must Pivot to Value
In this episode of Diamond Debates, Avi Krawitz is joined by Wes Tucker, CEO of Tracr, to unpack the proposition that the diamond industry must adapt to or risk decline by pivoting decisively toward value.
The wide-ranging discussion explores structural shifts reshaping the market, from oversupply, mine economics, and geopolitical pressure, to changing consumer spending habits, the rise of lab-grown diamonds, and the growing importance of branding, design, storytelling, and traceability.
Wes and Avi argue that broad, one-size-fits-all category marketing is losing effectiveness, and that future growth depends on clearer differentiation, higher-value product strategies, and more personalized retail experiences that reconnect diamonds with aspiration, rarity, and long-term emotional meaning. The conversation ultimately frames as a coordinated effort to rethink how value is created, communicated, and captured across the entire diamond pipeline.
Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.
14 Jan 2026
The Diamond Industry Will Shrink to Survive
In this engaging debate, Avi is joined by David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, to examine where the diamond industry stands and where it is headed. They unpack the contraction of the natural diamond market, the rise of lab-grown alternatives, and the growing responsibility of retailers to actively stimulate demand. The discussion moves through manufacturing realities, the shift from volume to value, and the industry’s renewed emphasis on profitability over scale. The conversation closes on a measured but confident view that natural diamonds can reestablish equilibrium as the foundation for sustainable growth.
Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.
9 Jan 2026
2026: Diamond Market Recovery or Continued Pressure
2026 could prove pivotal for the diamond industry. In this episode of Diamond Debates, Avi Krawitz is joined by Rob Bates, news editor of JCK Online and author, to examine the market scenarios taking shape. They assess how major players such as De Beers and Alrosa may influence direction, the evolving impact of lab-grown diamonds, mounting retail challenges, shifting marketing strategies, while also weighing consumer behavior and investment dynamics. The discussion underscores why stability and disciplined inventory management are becoming critical in an increasingly volatile market.
Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.
31 Dec 2025
Five Forces That Shaped the Diamond Market in 2025
2025 was a critical year for the diamond industry, shaped by five developments that placed sustained pressure across the market.
In this video, Avi Krawitz breaks down how shifts at De Beers, the continued rise of synthetics, evolving approaches to traceability, aggressive US trade policy, and mounting strain across the diamond pipeline combined to redefine the industry’s trajectory.
From geopolitical tensions and tariffs to retail behavior and value erosion in the midstream and mining sectors, the analysis connects the dots behind a third consecutive year of contraction and explains where the real battle for diamonds is being fought.
18 Dec 2025
Diamond Dealers Are Losing Their Relevance
In this conversation, Avi Krawitz and Didier Backaert, director at Bonas Group, discuss the evolving role of diamond dealers in the rough diamond market, the impact of tender houses, and the significance of financing in the industry. They explore how the landscape has changed over the years, the efficiency of the market, and the relevance of traditional dealers amidst new trading mechanisms. The discussion also touches on production levels and the future of the diamond industry.
Takeaways
Diamond dealers remain relevant but their roles have changed.
Tender houses are increasingly important in distribution.
The diamond market has become more efficient over time.
Financing has become a key role for modern dealers.
Production levels in the diamond industry are declining.
Dealers are reinventing themselves to stay relevant.
The industry has learned to operate more healthily post-crisis.
Contract sales and auction mechanisms are both valuable.
Trading centers like Antwerp and Dubai play crucial roles.
The future of diamond dealers is uncertain but worth monitoring.
Chapters
00:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok) - Introduction to the Diamond Debate
01:30 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok&t=90s) - The Relevance of Diamond Dealers
05:10 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok&t=310s) - The Role of Tender Houses
10:17 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok&t=617s) - Financing in the Diamond Industry
11:54 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok&t=714s) - Changes in Trading Dynamics
14:35 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok&t=875s) - Trading Centers and Their Influence
19:02 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok&t=1142s) - Contract Sales vs. Auction Mechanisms
24:31 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok&t=1471s) - Production Levels and Market Efficiency
27:44 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFjnhZPwok&t=1664s) - The Evolving Role of Dealers
13 Dec 2025
Natural Diamonds Are Losing Gen-Z!
Gen-Z’s changing values are reshaping the diamond market. This debate examines whether - and why - natural diamonds are losing relevance among younger consumers, what’s pulling them toward alternatives, and if the industry can win them back.
Avi unpacks the issue with Matt Gabel of MJ Gabel, a fine-jewelry advisory firm.
Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.
31 Mar 2024
David Kellie - Real, Rare, Responsible
David Kelly is the CEO of the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), the organization responsible for driving consumer interest in natural diamonds.
Nearly four years since the rebranding of the NDC in 2020, the organization is embarking on a new campaign: ‘Real, Rare, Responsible,’ highlighting the values it argues are inherent in natural diamonds.
In his role, David has developed a unique perspective of how the industry operates in different markets and cultures, how to approach category marketing in today's brand-centric environment, and the interaction between lab-grown and natural diamonds.
Learn more about the NDC at www.naturaldiamonds.com (http://www.naturaldiamonds.com) and via the handle @onlynaturaldiamonds on Instagram and Tik Tok.
29 Jan 2024
Thabo Manne - Cullinan and the Community
Thabo Manne is the manager for social compliance at the Cullinan mine in South Africa. Petra Diamonds, which owns the operations, has embarked on a strategy to put sustainability front and center of its decision making, governed by its four pillars - people, planet, partners, and production.
Tasked to engage with the communities affected by Cullinan, Thabo sits at the core of that strategy, offering insight to how corporates, and the broader diamond industry, has changed focus to drive upliftment.
Find out more about Petra's sustainability program here: https://www.petradiamonds.com/sustainability/ (https://www.petradiamonds.com/sustainability/)
28 Nov 2023
Lyndon de Meilon - A Beautiful Geological Story
Lyndon de Meillon is a diamond entrepreneur and geologist with interests in alluvial mining projects along South Africa’s Middle Orange River as well as Pioneer Diamond Tender House. He also serves as vice chairperson of the South African Diamond Producers Organisation (SADPO).
Lyndon is deeply invested in the success of South Africa’s small-scale mining sector, which faces some unique challenges spanning the heavy regulatory environment, social issues in the country, the geological makeup of the Orange River and the global economy. He believes South Africa’s alluvial sector has 100 years of life left in it, and also that the country has at least one other major kimberlite mine waiting to be found. But much depends on how the industry and the country tackles those lingering challenges.
You can find Lyndon on:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lyndon-de-meillon-98187299/ (http://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndon-de-meillon-98187299/)
Websites: www.pioneerdiamondtenderhouse.com (http://www.pioneerdiamondtenderhouse.com) and www.sadpo.co.za (http://www.sadpo.co.za)
8 Sept 2023
Molefi Letsiki - Empowering an Industry
Molefi Letsiki is the founder of Molefi Letsiki Diamonds, a South Africa-based diamond manufacturing entity which made history when it became the first majority black-owned company to become a De Beers sightholder.Molefi currently serves as chairperson of the Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa and is deeply invested in bringing about transformation in this historically significant diamond center, as South Africa faces unique challenges and accordingly has a different approach to beneficiation.You can find Molefi on Instagram: @molefiletsikidiamonds and @molefiletsiki,Twitter: @MolefiLetsiki, Company website: www.mldiamonds.com
8 Aug 2023
Desmond Ratsoma & Robin Bhebhe - Adding Value in Kimberley
The co-founders of OC Gems, a startup manufacturing company based in Kimberley, South Africa, tell the story of their journey into the diamond industry, and discuss entrepreneurship, beneficiation and the crucial role that social media is playing as they step into the next phase of their business's development.
You can find them on Instagram and Tik Tok as OC Gems, and via their website www.ocgems.co.za
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