IDEX Online - IDEX Memo

Alrosa: We'll Be Number One in 2018

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:50:00 GMT

Alrosa has an aggressive plan to be the world's largest diamond mining company, overtaking De Beers. The five-year plan includes increased production, selling non-core assets and focusing on what they know best – extracting diamonds. Longer-term, the company has an aggressive resource expansion plan that extends deep into Africa.

The Vegas Promise

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:35:00 GMT

With just a couple of weeks to the important Las Vegas trade shows, preparations are in high gear around the globe. The hopes people have for it are big because the need to generate a higher turnover is pressing.

India's Weakness is Everyone's Weakness. But is it Weak?

Thu, 9 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

India's diamond import and export figures for fiscal 2012-2013 expose deep, often double-digit, declines in the country's global diamond trade. Is round-tripping the real story or is there a real problem?

Labs Grade Differently and Consumers Get Conned

Thu, 2 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

When a retailer offers a consumer a lower-cost diamond graded as a high quality one, it's fraud, but what if a lenient lab supports the better grading? Consumers are unaware of the differences between labs, and the Twittersphere is raging.

There is MIST Beyond the BRIC

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:46:00 GMT

The BRICs are the hotbed of growing diamond jewelry consumption. Setting sights on long-term growth, diamond firms should consider MIST. The monetary discipline, low debt rates and positive economic policies offer industry growth.

Retailers Must Be Willing to Foot the Bill

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The debate over the evolution of KP is not about ethics, it’s about economic sense. The main point of contention is that one group in the industry is trying to force a system – and its cost – on another group. That won’t work.

An Offshore Account Tutorial, Anyone?

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

It's simple for John Q. Citizen, and for you, to place money in an offshore account. In some circumstances it's even legal. The problem begins when a group of journalists starts naming account holders

Money Keeps Hopping Around, Seeking New Tax Havens

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Governments don't like it when taxes are not paid. Last week, another loophole was closed, as the U.S. and other countries continue in their efforts to get hold of the money.

What Diamantaires Don't Want to Hear: Retailers Are Being Squeezed

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Let's start with the bottom line – U.S. retailers need to pay more for the jewelry they are selling, and don't get that much more when selling it. The wholesale prices they are paying are rising at a higher rate than the retail prices they are charging. It's a margin squeeze.

Dubai Vying for Top Spot

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:00:00 GMT

Dubai is actively working to position itself to replace Antwerp as the rough diamond-trading center of the world. The role that tax breaks, police raids and the DTC play in this shift.