In Memoriam

‘Commiseration’ is what someone offered me at the news that the Oppenheimers were leaving De Beers.

The idea that I might miss such an easy target to have the odd pop shot at when bored had not been my first reaction, and I pointed out that I enjoyed reading obituaries and looked forward to writing this one.

Also, I must say I can hardly feel sorry for someone who has managed to sell their stake in a company for $5.1 billion in cash, and it actually makes me wonder who felt under more pressure.

De Beers was, I recall, valued at $19 billion when it was privatised in 2001, so

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Diamonds are not FOREVER - decides South African Dynasty

When South Africa’s Oppenheimers finally decided to sell their stake in De Beers to Anglo American for $5.1bn after difficult and emotional discussions, it marked the end of an era for one family’s dynastic dominance of the diamond industry.

De Beers’ influence in diamonds goes back more than a hundred years and,

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How DIAMONDS are formed - National Geographic

De Beers expects lower SA production

De Beers expects its South African unit to produce 6,5-million carats this year, 1 million less than last year as the effects of mine disposals filter down, CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines 9DBCM) Phillip Barton said, Business Day reported.

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Sightholders surprised by rise in prices at DTC’s August sale

While reports abound of a downward turnaround in the pricing trends on the rough and polished diamond markets, clients of the De Beers-owned Diamond Trading Company were surprised to discover that prices at the August sight were reportedly between 1 percent to 8 percent higher on average.

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