The Rapaport Diamond Podcast

Stuller CEO Danny Clark and president Belit Myers talk about the US diamond and jewelry supplier’s recent leadership change and why the company has seen both natural and lab-grown flourish. Plus: The importance of the company’s focus on “just-in-time” inventory.

Guy Burton, managing director of high-end UK jeweler Hancocks London, digs into vintage diamond cuts and how they compare with modern styles. Plus: The state of British retail and the Hatton Garden trade.

Mayank Jain, CEO of DiaDNA, outlines how the company is developing technology to identify diamonds and prevent stone-switching. Mayank explains the difference between optical and atomic scanning and how the industry can benefit from the extra traceability.You can watch this episode on video at: https://youtu.be/VzDUXlmVhoI

Richa Singh, managing director for India and the Middle East at the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), explains the rise of one of the world’s fastest-growing diamond markets. Plus: What the US-India trade deal might mean, the lab-grown sector’s expansion, and how jewelers use WhatsApp to sell.

John Ford, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), and Bruce Bridges, its president, report on talks with US government officials over potential tariff relief. Plus: How colored gemstones have staved off competition from synthetics.

Randy Cole, CEO of Michigan jewelry retailer Diamond Vault of Troy, breaks down the perhaps surprising demographics of natural and synthetic diamonds. Plus: How the holiday season went.

From Trump to tariffs to diamond marketing, Rapaport Managing Editor Leah Meirovich and Senior Analyst Joshua Freedman reflect on the year that is about to end.

Pre-owned jewelry should be exempt from US tariffs, says Max Fawcett, incoming global head of jewelry at auction house Christie’s. Plus: Why the market for spectacular diamonds has slowed.

Alexandra Beth Samit, founder of New York-based Alexandra Beth Fine Jewelry, explains how developments in the metal markets have spooked consumers and pushed some to buy cheaper stones.

On his second appearance, Thomas Hainschwang of GGTL Laboratories discusses underqualified gem labs, the latest developments in synthetics, and why fluorescent diamonds have a bad name.

Conner Curran, CEO of commodity firm Dexterous DMCC, says Dubai is a fantastic place to live and work but raises concerns about tax changes. Plus: Why the company branched out into polished-diamond tenders for consumers. 

Sean Dunn, vice president of Florida-based retailer J.R. Dunn Jewelers, believes diamond provenance is the key to the industry’s future. Visit www.youtube.com/@rapaportYT to watch the full video version.

Greg Katz, managing partner of South Africa-based dealer and manufacturer Trigon Adamas, digs into the market for large, fancy-color diamonds.

Adam Schulman, CEO and founder of tender house Koin International, believes his sales system has made the rough sector more transparent and competitive. Plus: Wildlife photography in the Dubai desert. Visit www.youtube.com/@rapaportYT to watch the full video version.

Small changes in consumer demand can have an amplified impact on the midstream and mining. Industry consultant Pranay Narvekar explains why.

Jewelry consultant Megan Crabtree discusses ways to improve sales and the customer experience, from data to artificial intelligence (AI).

Brian Stamey, vice president of marketing and operations at International Diamond Center (IDC), addresses the market’s current challenges and explains the importance of branded jewelry to the Florida-based retailer. This podcast was recorded on July 8, before the US’s announcement of 25% tariffs on Indian goods.

Allison Vigil, President of the Signet Jewelers-owned business, explains why the company shifted from rental services to selling pre-owned goods.

Andrew Rickard stresses the importance of getting a credit report and outlines his plans for the Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) after his recent appointment as its president. Plus: Lab-grown diamonds, tariffs, and the state of the industry.

Nilesh Chhabria, chief operating officer at Finestar Diamonds & Jewellery, reflects on the recent JCK Las Vegas show, the market for fancy-shape diamonds, and why natural is regaining some of the ground it lost to lab-grown.

German jewelry designer Katharina Junkert recounts the history of Pforzheim, the country’s famed manufacturing city. She also explains why German consumers prefer diamonds with high color and clarity — perhaps because of the weather? Plus: The positive and negative impacts of US tariffs.

Howard Hauben, president and CEO of the Centurion Jewelry Show, assesses the state of high-end consumer demand and the impact of US tariffs on trade fairs. 

Dan Moran, president of Los Angeles-based bespoke jeweler Concierge Diamonds, explains the impact of tariffs on retail and how his business has shifted its inventory strategy. Plus: The benefits of being a licensed pilot. Visit www.youtube.com/@rapaportYT to watch the full video version.

Shreyans Dholakia, brand custodian at Indian diamond manufacturer Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), assesses the state of the market and explains the company’s pricing and production strategies. Plus: Its response to allegations about Russian diamonds.

Roy Safit, CEO of the Fancy Color Research Foundation, delves into the colored-diamond market and what’s driving price trends. Visit www.youtube.com/@rapaportYT to watch the video.

Conflict-diamond expert Brad Brooks-Rubin discusses Trump, tariffs, the Kimberley Process, and whether the US could reverse sanctions on Russian goods. Plus: Brad’s side career as a DJ and music blogger. 

Lawrence Ma, chairman of the organizing committee for the March gem and jewelry shows in Hong Kong, reflects on the fairs and the state of China’s diamond market.

Steve Feldman reveals his tricks of the trade from more than 45 years as a salesman in the diamond and jewelry sector.

David Bonaparte, president and CEO of Jewelers of America (JA), explains the trade organization’s work lobbying on Russia sanctions and other industry issues. Plus: A review of the current state of demand.

Shenil Shah of polished distributor Aspeco explains how the company has focused on selling bundles of matching diamonds to tackle competition from lab-grown.

In a special video episode, diamond consultant Eyal Axelrod discusses the state of the supply chain, the future of rough production, synthetic diamonds, and what the sector can learn from the movie industry. Visit www.youtube.com/@rapaportYT to view the video.

Anita Diamonds CEO Chirag Shah outlines how the Antwerp-based company’s credit business, diverse client list and flexible operating model have helped it grow despite difficult trading conditions. 

Tobias Kormind, CEO of UK-based online retailer 77 Diamonds, explains the company’s low-inventory business model and why he believes Blue Nile’s price-focused approach was a mistake.

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre’s Karen Rentmeesters and Ravi Bhansali discuss the themes, conclusions and atmosphere of the recent Facets 2024 conference in the Belgian city.

On the latest episode of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast, jeweler Eddie LeVian shares his family business’s sweet tooth for chocolate diamonds and how it’s trying to redirect customers toward higher-value stones.  

Nathan Renfro, senior manager of colored stones at the GIA, discusses treatments, synthetics, gemstone origin, and what attracts consumers to rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Plus: How the cookie monster appeared in an agate.

David Sherwood, CEO of Daniel’s Jewelers, describes the development of his family’s business into a 100-store retailer and why it offers both natural and synthetic diamonds. 

Sustainability consultant Danielle Keller talks about the circular economy, the benefits of repairing old jewelry, and the challenges of tracking a supply chain.

Scott Berg, president of US retailer Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, explains how the industry downturn has affected his company’s diamond-sourcing strategy. Plus: Changes in the Indian market and his visit to a mine in South Africa.

Josh Arazi, vice president and creative director at Arazi Diamonds, discusses the New York-based wholesaler’s decision to restrict the services it offers customers that promote synthetics. 

William Lamb, CEO of Lucara Diamond Corp., relates how the company discovered a 2,492-carat rough at its mine in Botswana.

Antwerp trader Shashin Choksi explains why he believes the diamond industry must put more effort into promoting the product. Plus: How India’s recent celebrity wedding boosted the sector.

Aryeh Rephun, founder of New York-based Aryeh & Co., explains developments in the bespoke-jewelry market and assesses consumer demand ahead of the holiday season.

Isidore (Isi) Mörsel, director of Dali Diamond and president of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) board, gives the inside story on G7 sanctions and other issues affecting Belgium’s diamond trade. 

Ari Jain, chief financial officer of New York-based manufacturer and dealer House of Diamonds, tells how he created an algorithm for pricing polished diamonds while at university. He also discusses the latest trends in the US and Indian markets.

Jeff Loots of New York-based diamond-jewelry brand Henri Daussi gives his assessment of the US wholesale market following the Las Vegas shows.

Venus Jewel partner Devansh Shah reflects on developments in India’s diamond-manufacturing sector and how his company shifted toward large stones.

Hertz Hasenfeld of US-based diamond manufacturer Hasenfeld-Stein shares his experience handling market crashes. 

Hans Merket, a researcher at the Antwerp-based International Peace Information Service (IPIS), critiques the Kimberley Process and provides an update on the state of conflict diamonds.

Margot Stuart and Prof. Felicitas Morhart talk about OriginalLuxury, a hub that provides events and information to help luxury companies improve their traceability and transparency.