De Beers, Lightbox and the impact on the diamond business

I will assume everyone has read the details, and heard their rationale for claiming that this move will have little or no impact in the natural diamond business.  Briefly, they will be selling MMDs in finished jewellery with total weights up to one carat, mounted in silver or gold, and with simple pricing - $800 per carat.  There is no grading of the stones, which are white, yellow, blue or pink; the jewellery is meant for “moments” not “milestones” (like weddings).

De Beers has arrived at this moment after a few decades of seeing their business transformed from a monopoly into a commercial venture facing all the pressures of a competitive market.