Geopolitics is having a growing impact on the diamond trade, from US tariffs and sanctions on Russia-origin goods to tighter rules governing traceability and sustainability claims.

Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, joins me to examine how Antwerp is navigating this changing environment, the role trading centers can play in influencing policy, and what the new regulatory reality means for the wider diamond market.

Suggested Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Antwerp's Industry Challenges

01:19 Karen Rentmeesters' Role and Industry Outlook

02:17 Market Sentiment and Price Trends in 2026

03:10 Impact of Mine Closures and Supply Restraint

04:32 Industry Mood and Strategic Thinking

05:57 Supply Dynamics and Rough Market Trends

07:19 Ecosystem and Supply Chain Resilience

08:41 Changing Role of Antwerp in Global Trade

11:07 Structural Shifts in Supply and Demand

13:02 Marketing, Demand, and Industry Innovation

14:56 Antwerp's Leadership and Future Positioning

18:16 Information, Flexibility, and Industry Support

22:59 European Regulation and Traceability

27:34 Tariffs, Trade Agreements, and Market Access

36:42 Impact of EU Legislation on Industry Practices

45:38 Consumer Protection and Green Claims

54:12 Regulatory Environment and Industry Adaptation

01:00:24 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode of Diamond Debates, Avi Krawitz is joined by J.R. Dunn Jewelers President Sean Dunn to examine whether branding can counter an increasingly commoditized diamond market.

The discussion explores why diamond branding has historically struggled, the relationship between category marketing and individual brand building, the growing importance of storytelling, origin and provenance, and how retailers can differentiate natural diamonds beyond the 4Cs.

Drawing on Dunn's experience developing Botswana-sourced jewelry collections and traceable natural diamond programs, The conversation argues that preserving the value of natural diamonds increasingly depends on creating meaningful emotional connections through design, authenticity, and compelling human stories.

Suggested Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:10 Why branding diamonds has always been difficult

07:15 Did grading reports unintentionally commoditize diamonds?

10:00 Why branding jewelry is easier than branding diamonds

14:15 Building a brand around Botswana origin and traceability

20:15 Do consumers really care where their diamonds come from?

27:30 How independent jewelers can build their own brands

34:35 Why selling "value" isn't the best natural diamond strategy

40:20 Category marketing vs. retailer branding: Finding the balance

47:00 De Beers, Origin, and the future of natural diamond storytelling

Avi is joined by Tom Chatham, chairman of Chatham Inc., to debate the current state and future prospects of the lab-grown diamond market. The discussion explores shifting market dynamics, technological advances in synthetic diamond production, industry challenges and marketing strategies, high-tech applications and niche markets, and efforts to establish a lab-grown industry body to advocate on the sector’s behalf.

Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.