The Rapaport Diamond Podcast
Episodes
Episode 159: A New Era for Old Cuts
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Guy Burton, managing director of high-end UK jeweler Hancocks London, digs into vintage diamond cuts and how they compare with modern styles. Plus: Th...
Episode 158: Face Recognition for Diamonds
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mayank Jain, CEO of DiaDNA, outlines how the company is developing technology to identify diamonds and prevent stone-switching. Mayank explains the di...
Episode 157: How India Has Come to Love Diamonds
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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-g...
Episode 156: Lobbying Washington on Tariffs
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
John Ford, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), and Bruce Bridges, its president, report on talks with US government officials over poten...
Episode 155: Who Buys Lab-Grown Diamonds?
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Randy Cole, CEO of Michigan jewelry retailer Diamond Vault of Troy, breaks down the perhaps surprising demographics of natural and synthetic diamonds....
Episode 154: Chaos in the Diamond Industry
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Trump to tariffs to diamond marketing, Rapaport Managing Editor Leah Meirovich and Senior Analyst Joshua Freedman reflect on the year that is abo...
Episode 153: How Tariffs Affect Jewelry Auctions
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mar...
Episode 152: Gold Prices and Lab-Grown Diamonds
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alexandra Beth Samit, founder of New York-based Alexandra Beth Fine Jewelry, explains how developments in the metal markets have spooked consumers and...
Episode 151: Why the Market Shuns Fluorescent Diamonds
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On his second appearance, Thomas Hainschwang of GGTL Laboratories discusses underqualified gem labs, the latest developments in synthetics, and why fl...
Episode 150: Dubai, Tax, and Diamond Tenders for Consumers
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 149: Back to the (Diamond) Origins
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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.y...
Episode 148: Polishing Spectacular Diamonds
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Greg Katz, managing partner of South Africa-based dealer and manufacturer Trigon Adamas, digs into the market for large, fancy-color diamonds.
Episode 147: The Man Who Transformed the Rough Market
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Schulman, CEO and founder of tender house Koin International, believes his sales system has made the rough sector more transparent and competitiv...
Episode 146: Diamonds, Retail and the Bullwhip Effect
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Small changes in consumer demand can have an amplified impact on the midstream and mining. Industry consultant Pranay Narvekar explains why.
Episode 145: How AI Helps You Sell Jewelry
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jewelry consultant Megan Crabtree discusses ways to improve sales and the customer experience, from data to artificial intelligence (AI).
Episode 144: Buying Diamonds in the Tariff Era
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stamey, vice president of marketing and operations at International Diamond Center (IDC), addresses the market’s current challenges and explai...
Episode 143: Rocksbox’s Revamp
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Allison Vigil, President of the Signet Jewelers-owned business, explains why the company shifted from rental services to selling pre-owned goods.
Episode 142: How to Avoid Credit Losses
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Rickard stresses the importance of getting a credit report and outlines his plans for the Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) after his recent appoin...
Episode 141: Fancies, Lab-Grown and the JCK Show
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nilesh Chhabria, chief operating officer at Finestar Diamonds & Jewellery, reflects on the recent JCK Las Vegas show, the market for fancy-shape d...
Episode 140: Germany’s Jewelry Pedigree
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
German jewelry designer Katharina Junkert recounts the history of Pforzheim, the country’s famed manufacturing city. She also explains why...
Episode 139: Trade Shows and the Tariffs
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
Episode 138: Tariffs, Diamonds and the US Consumer
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Moran, president of Los Angeles-based bespoke jeweler Concierge Diamonds, explains the impact of tariffs on retail and how his business has shifte...
Episode 137: India, Diamonds and the One-Price System
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shreyans Dholakia, brand custodian at Indian diamond manufacturer Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), assesses the state of the market and explains the co...
Episode 136: Why These Diamonds Are Worth Millions
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 135: Are Russia Sanctions Here to Stay?
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Conflict-diamond expert Brad Brooks-Rubin discusses Trump, tariffs, the Kimberley Process, and whether the US could reverse sanctions on Russian goods...
Episode 134: Tariffs, China and the Hong Kong Shows
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
Episode 133: Why It Pays to Be Nice
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Feldman reveals his tricks of the trade from more than 45 years as a salesman in the diamond and jewelry sector.
Episode 132: Customs, Sanctions and the Jewelry Trade
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Bonaparte, president and CEO of Jewelers of America (JA), explains the trade organization’s work lobbying on Russia sanctions and other indust...
Episode 131: Battling the Synthetics Threat
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shenil Shah of polished distributor Aspeco explains how the company has focused on selling bundles of matching diamonds to tackle competition from lab...
Episode 130: De Beers and the Future of Diamonds
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a special video episode, diamond consultant Eyal Axelrod discusses the state of the supply chain, the future of rough production, synthetic diamond...
Episode 129: How Anita Diamonds Beats the Market
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anita Diamonds CEO Chirag Shah outlines how the Antwerp-based company’s credit business, diverse client list and flexible operating model have helpe...
Episode 128: Not Europe’s Blue Nile
25 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
Episode 127: Facets and the Future of Antwerp
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre’s Karen Rentmeesters and Ravi Bhansali discuss the themes, conclusions and atmosphere of the recent Facets 2024 con...
Episode 126: Le Vian’s Taste for Chocolate Diamonds
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast, jeweler Eddie LeVian shares his family business’s sweet tooth for chocolate diamonds and how ...
Episode 125: Digging into Colored Stones
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nathan Renfro, senior manager of colored stones at the GIA, discusses treatments, synthetics, gemstone origin, and what attracts consumers to rubies, ...
Episode 124: A Fresh Perspective on Synthetics
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 natu...
Episode 123: Sustainability in Jewelry
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sustainability consultant Danielle Keller talks about the circular economy, the benefits of repairing old jewelry, and the challenges of tracking a su...
Episode 122: The Diamond Buyer’s View
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scott Berg, president of US retailer Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, explains how the industry downturn has affected his company’s diamond-sourcing strat...
Episode 121: A Natural Future
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Josh Arazi, vice president and creative director at Arazi Diamonds, discusses the New York-based wholesaler’s decision to restrict the services it o...
Episode 120: The Giant Diamond
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
William Lamb, CEO of Lucara Diamond Corp., relates how the company discovered a 2,492-carat rough at its mine in Botswana.
Episode 119: The Need for Diamond Marketing
25 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Antwerp trader Shashin Choksi explains why he believes the diamond industry must put more effort into promoting the product. Plus: How India’s recen...
Episode 118: Tailor-Made Jewelry
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Aryeh Rephun, founder of New York-based Aryeh & Co., explains developments in the bespoke-jewelry market and assesses consumer demand ahead of the...
Episode 117: Making Peace in Antwerp
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Isidore (Isi) Mörsel, director of Dali Diamond and president of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) board, gives the inside story on G7 sanctions...
Episode 116: The Diamond-Pricing Prodigy
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ari Jain, chief financial officer of New York-based manufacturer and dealer House of Diamonds, tells how he created an algorithm for pricing polished ...
Episode 115: Changes in America’s Diamond Industry
30 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Loots of New York-based diamond-jewelry brand Henri Daussi gives his assessment of the US wholesale market following the Las Vegas shows.
Episode 114: India's Large-Diamond Story
09 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Venus Jewel partner Devansh Shah reflects on developments in India’s diamond-manufacturing sector and how his company shifted toward large stones.
Episode 113: Diamonds over the Decades
26 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hertz Hasenfeld of US-based diamond manufacturer Hasenfeld-Stein shares his experience handling market crashes.
Episode 112: Is the Kimberley Process Broken?
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hans Merket, a researcher at the Antwerp-based International Peace Information Service (IPIS), critiques the Kimberley Process and provides an update ...
Episode 111: Luxury’s Transparency Challenges
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Margot Stuart and Prof. Felicitas Morhart talk about OriginalLuxury, a hub that provides events and information to help luxury companies improve their...
Episode 110: Diamonds Down Under
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Craig Miller, CEO of Australian diamond wholesaler and distributor JC Jewels, gives the inside scoop on the country’s jewelry market.
Episode 109: Can celebrities sell diamond jewelry?
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and author Rachael Taylor discusses how red-carpet events and well-chosen brand ambassadors can impact revenues.
Episode 108: A Report from the Hong Kong Show
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Roi Sheinfeld, managing partner of diamond manufacturer M&B Group, came on the Rapaport Diamond Podcast to review the recent Hong Kong fair, which...
Episode 107: The visionary and timeless Harry Winston style
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sharon Novak, curatorial advisor to high-jewelry houses and private collectors, talks about the King of Diamonds’ groundbreaking techniques and bold...
Episode 106: Russia, Sanctions and the Diamond Market
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Diamond consultant Robert Wake-Walker spoke with Rapaport’s Joshua Freedman about G7 sanctions on Russia diamonds, the development of Russia’s dia...
Episode 105: Handling the Hope Diamond
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Jeffrey Post, the recently retired curator for gems and minerals at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, joined us ...
Episode 104: Jewelry, Insurance and the Holidays
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dustin Lemick, founder and CEO of insurance technology company BriteCo, shares his insights on the recent festive shopping season in a conversation we...
Episode 103: The Year in Review
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport’s Leah Meirovich and Joshua Freedman pick the stories that had the biggest impact on the industry in 2023. They also reflect on selections ...
Episode 102: Selling the Botswana Story
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nicholas Moltke of Botswanamark chats with Rapaport’s Joshua Freedman about why he founded the brand, which offers US consumers diamonds from the Af...
Episode 101: The Lab-Grown Con?
03 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport’s Joshua Freedman caught up with Olivia Landau, cofounder and CEO of The Clear Cut, which famously gives away a free lab-grown stone for ev...
Episode 100: Looking Back at Our Favorites
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate this milestone, Sonia Esther Soltani, Leah Meirovich and Joshua Freedman discuss their most memorable episodes since the Rapaport Diamond...
Episode 99: Why the Chinese Market Is Slow
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shanghai-based diamond dealer and consultant Chen Shen reflects on the recent slump in Chinese consumer spending. Is the economy to blame — or are s...
Episode 98: From Engagement Gap to Wedding Boom?
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jewelry journalist Rachael Taylor and Rapaport’s Sonia Esther Soltani analyze the latest developments in the bridal jewelry market, while Rapaport’...
Episode 97: Spotlight on Sustainability
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A sneak peak at Rapaport’s upcoming GIA-sponsored supplement, which features stories on traceability, social responsibility, and how to talk to cons...
Episode 96: A Story of Stolen Jewels, Prison and Redemption
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Reformed jewel thief Bryan Sobolewski talks about his 22-store robbery spree, getting caught, his return to the straight and narrow, and how jewelers ...
Episode 95: What’s Really Going On in Retail?
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Consumers’ changing spending habits are the real cause of weak retail sales – more so than rising inflation, says consultant David Marcotte.
Episode 94: RJC Moves On from Russia Crisis
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Melanie Grant, executive director of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), joins Rapaport’s Sonia Esther Soltani and Joshua Freedman to discuss t...
Episode 93: Dispatches from the Lab-Grown Symposium
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amish Shah of Altr Created Diamonds reports from the inaugural Lab-Grown Diamond Symposium in Dubai. How are prices performing, and what does the futu...
Episode 92: A Crisis in Green Diamonds
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The market is seeing a spate of green diamonds coming back from grading labs as treated or “undetermined,” says Thomas Hainschwang, cofounder of G...
Episode 91: Avi Krawitz’s Farewell
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The team fires questions at Rapaport Senior Analyst Avi Krawitz, who is leaving after 16 years of service. Plus: A report from the JCK Las Vegas show,...
Episode 90: The Future of Russian Sanctions
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tiffany Stevens, CEO, president and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), addresses key issues around Russian diamonds in convers...
Episode 89: Diamond Provenance at Scale
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport’s Avi Krawitz chats with Ryan Perry, acting vice president of strategy and innovation at De Beers, about the company’s recent partnership...
Rapaport Market Comment: Jewelers Selling, but Not Buying
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The diamond market is down, but jewelers seem to be doing okay. What do you think is causing that difference in sentiment between the jewelry retail a...
Episode 88: The Buzz About Geneva, Tiffany and Bridal
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Diamond trading may have slowed in 2023, but there are several developments that are shaping the market and creating positive energy around jewelry. T...
Rapaport Market Comment: Diamond Market Slower Than Usual
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Trading is slow but there’s a lot to look forward to in the diamond trade. What events or trends do you expect will raise market sentiment?
Rapaport Market Comment: US and China Slowdown Puts Pressure on Diamond Trade
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With diamond trading currently quiet, the industry is looking ahead to various events that may lift sentiment and business activity. From where do you...
Episode 87: Young Diamantaires Leave Their Mark
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport News Editor Joshua Freedman chats with Lita Asscher, president of Royal Asscher Diamond Company, and Harsh Shah, director of Pasavaja Gems, a...
Rapaport Market Comment: Will Independents Survive Signet’s Growth?
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport is the primary source for diamond pricing and information. Here's our view of the global diamond market for the week of April 21st. Read all ...
Episode 86: Diamond Supply-Chain Challenges and Opportunities
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In his presentation during International Diamond Week in Israel, Rapaport Group Chairman Martin Rapaport outlines the challenges the industry faces re...
Episode 85: De Beers Eyes Massive Botswana Investment
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Cleaver, cochairman of De Beers, sat with Rapaport’s Avi Krawitz to discuss the company’s ongoing negotiations for a new marketing and minin...
Rapaport Market Comment: 5 Themes From Israel Diamond Week
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The discussions and meetings that took place in Israel this week, said a lot about the diamond trade’s mindset. What do you think should be on the a...
Rapaport Market Comment: How the Federal Reserve Impacts Diamond Demand
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision have to do with the diamond industry? Well, pretty much everything if we want to understand t...
Episode 84: Sanctions, Hong Kong and AI
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport Editor in Chief Sonia Esther Soltani chats with Senior Analyst Avi Krawitz and News Editor Joshua Freedman, highlighting the major events, tr...
Episode 83: NDC Plans Synthetics Myth-Busting Campaign
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
David Kellie, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council, chats with Rapaport’s Avi Krawitz about the organization’s latest projects — including a rebut...
Episode 82: The Path Toward Sustainability
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Iris Van der Veken, executive director of the Watch & Jewelry Initiative 2030, discusses with Rapaport’s Avi Krawitz the organization’s immedi...
Episode 81: The Importance of Tracking Your Diamond
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Frederik Degryse, CEO of iTraceiT, a new platform that aims to validate a diamond’s origin and journey, chats with Rapaport’s Avi Krawitz about th...
Episode 80: Selling Diamonds on Instagram
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Karmiel, owner of Icerock Diamonds, discusses the learning curve he experienced as his business shifted focus to selling expensive diamonds via In...
Episode 79: Tech-Inspired Diamond Stories
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport Acting Editor Rachael Taylor and Senior Analyst Avi Krawitz discuss the role technology is playing in jewelry design and marketing. They also...
Episode 78: Reflections on a Turbulent Year
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport Senior Analyst Avi Krawitz, News Editor Joshua Freedman and Senior Reporter Leah Meirovich look back on 2023, picking their favorite industry...
Episode 77: China’s Post-Pandemic Potential
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mountain Province CEO Mark Wall expresses optimism for the diamond trade, noting that the eventual release of pent-up demand in China, coupled with su...
Episode 76: Overoptimistic Retail?
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport Senior Analyst Avi Krawitz and News Editor Joshua Freedman question whether sentiment in the diamond industry is aligned with that of the ret...
Episode 75: Jewelry Goes Genderless
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport Acting Editor Rachael Taylor and Senior Analyst Avi Krawitz examine the move toward gender-neutral styles by jewelers and designers, expectin...
Episode 74: Diamond Market Plays It Cool
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The editorial team examines the slowdown in diamond trading, considering the impact of economic forces on consumer sentiment even as the US is support...
Episode 73: Jewelers’ False Narrative on Lab-Grown
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kieron Hodgson, managing director at UK investment firm Panmure Gordon, discusses mistruths about lab-grown and natural diamonds, the role of research...
Episode 72: With Special Guest Matt Stuller
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Stuller, founder and chairman of Stuller, discusses how he got into the jewelry industry, the company’s growth, how it has navigated the Covid-...
Episode 71: Signet, Tiffany Make Bold Moves
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The editorial team discusses key events and some surprising stories that dominated the headlines in the past month, including Signet’s acquisition o...
Episode 70: The GIA Goes Digital
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pritesh Patel, chief operating officer at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), outlines the organization’s digital and sustainability st...
Episode 69: How Tracr is Empowering De Beers’ Supply Chain
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rapaport’s Avi Krawitz chats with Wesley Tucker, head of digital transformation and Tracr at De Beers, about the industry’s drive to develop diamo...
Episode 68: Jewelry’s Pivotal Moment
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lisa Bridge, CEO of jewelry chain Ben Bridge, discusses her recent appointment as president of the American Gem Society and the mood among US jewelry ...
Episode 67: Where Digital Is Going
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Digital-marketing expert Ben Smithee, founder of The Smithee Group, joins Rapaport’s Avi Krawitz to discuss the rapidly changing media space and how...
Episode 66: Lessons from Vegas
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Las Vegas shows tend to set the tone for the industry moving into the second half of the year. The Rapaport team reveals its observations about tr...