The Rapaport Diamond Podcast

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.