Diamond sales up 10% despite US slump

Presenting the group's first half-year results in a teleconference from London, Managing Director Gareth Penny said although there was a decline in the traditional market, the US, strong demand from emerging markets such as China, India and the Middle East mitigated the slump.

"The group faced a few challenges in the period, which included the slow down of the US economy as well as the energy challenges in southern Africa, which mostly affected South Africa's production," Gareth said.