Who mines natural diamonds today, how their origin is guaranteed, and how a rough stone travels from the mines of Angola or the DRC through the trading networks of Antwerp to a Paris showroom, conflict-free and fully traceable.
For centuries, Antwerp has remained the world's crossroads for rough and polished diamond trading. It is from there that my work as an independent diamond dealer is carried out today in Paris.
The sector's recent history has seen a real upheaval: large diversified mining groups are gradually withdrawing from diamonds, leaving the field to a handful of specialised players.
Founded in 1888 in South Africa, De Beers long dominated the global market. Its parent company Anglo American announced in 2024 its intention to divest De Beers; the sale process is still ongoing.
Russian group Alrosa remains the world's top producer by volume. Since 2022, its diamonds have been subject to Western sanctions, which has reinforced the demand for traceability across the entire industry.
BHP exited the diamond sector back in 2013. Rio Tinto, having already closed its iconic Argyle mine in 2020, has now fully exited diamonds with the closure of Diavik, marking the end of an era for large diversified mining groups.
In 2006, the industry produced 176 million carats of natural diamonds. According to the latest industry analysis, 2026 could see global production fall below 100 million carats, its lowest level since the early 1990s. Several historic mine closures and the rise of new producers are redrawing the map:
| Country / Producer | Current situation |
|---|---|
| Botswana (Debswana / ODC) | The state markets 25–30% of production via the Okavango Diamond Company, around $900 million/year |
| Angola | Production sharply up (+100% since 2017); became the world's 3rd largest producer in 2023, around $1.6 billion in revenue in 2025 |
| DRC | High volume but overwhelmingly artisanal, around 700,000 miners |
| Russia (Alrosa) | Historic top producer by volume, under Western sanctions since 2022 |
| Canada | Diavik mine permanently closed in March 2026, after 150 million carats produced over 23 years |
| Antwerp | Remains the world's trading crossroads, several tenders take place there continuously |
Faced with growing demand for transparency, several complementary systems now allow a diamond to be tracked from extraction onward:
GIA scientifically matches the characteristics of the rough diamond, analysed before cutting, to those of the polished stone, confirming its country of origin. Launched in 2019, now complemented by the Source Verification Service since 2022.
A blockchain platform created by De Beers, Tracr tracks the diamond from mine to retail, working with GIA to strengthen consumer trust.
A Belgian company based in Antwerp, independent of any mining group, which traces the diamond "from mine to finger" via blockchain and QR code.
A certification body founded in 2005: it audits companies on their ethical practices throughout the chain, from mine to jewellery store.
A body promoting natural diamonds, unlike the RJC, it does not certify companies, but works to build consumer trust in natural diamonds.
Before cutting, every rough diamond already tells a story, its shape, its inclusions, its potential. This section will soon feature my own photos and videos of rough stones.
Leave me a message or ask to be called back, personal reply within 24h.
