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1.
Diamond demand will continue to grow in
real value terms, driven by the effect of the US
economic recovery and the continued growth
of emerging markets, especially China.
2.
Positive demand growth for diamonds will
almost certainly outstrip growth in production
volume in the medium term. Across the value
chain, organisations that are able to innovate
and differentiate themselves will be best
positioned to capture the opportunities created
by this supply demand dynamic.
3.
There will be strong competition from other
luxury categories, and investment will be required
to safeguard and nurture the diamond dream.
4.
Brands will become increasingly important –
consumers are seeking them out, and they
give retailers an opportunity to differentiate
themselves from generic propositions.
5.
Online is rapidly increasing in importance
as a channel for both research and sales of
diamond jewellery to consumers, and will
continue to do so – though the pattern differs
by geographic market.
6.
The midstream will continue to come under
competitive pressure and, as a result, will
professionalise and consolidate; businesses with
scale and/or differentiated strategies will thrive.
7.
Beneficiation will continue to be important
for countries and regions where diamonds
are mined.
8.
Diamond production will decline slowly after
2020 with low likelihood of large, economically
viable new finds.
9.
As supply from existing mines decreases, mining
will become increasingly complex and remote,
and increasingly costly as a result. Investment
in operational innovation will be required to
drive productivity.
10.
Technology will remain critically important to
support the whole value chain, including in
safeguarding the diamond dream from the risk
of weakening consumer confidence as a result
of undisclosed synthetics and treatments to
natural diamonds.
THE FUTURE AT A GLANCE