In this 73rd episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Tom Moses, Executive Vice President of The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), joins the show to discuss an array of timely industry topics. The episode begins with Tom giving his perspective on the current downturn in the diamond market and how it stacks up against others that he has seen over his almost 50-year career. Paul then explains why he thinks the 50% Indian tariff on natural diamonds could actually be digestible by consumers while the tariff on lab-grown diamonds is maybe not even consequential. Next, Tom gives an estimation of what current diamond inventory in the U.S. looks like based on what the GIA has seen passing through in recent weeks. The conversation then moves to LGDs and Tom explains why he thinks that we could see LGD rough selling for as little as $5 per carat in the coming years and how fine jewelers selling LGD could be a “path to distinction” for the larger category. Tom then shares his story of spearheading the GIA decision to provide LGD reports and how this ultimately culminated in a decision to change course in June 2025 –news which generated significant industry stir. Finally, Paul shares why he thinks the diamond industry might be through the worst of the disruption caused by LGD.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Tom Moses

Guest plug: www.gia.edu

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 72nd episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Richa Singh, the Natural Diamond Council’s (NDC) Managing Director for India, joins the show for the first time. The episode begins with Paul recollecting his experience of being in India last year, especially as it pertains to the size of the gems and jewelry industry in Mumbai and Surat. Richa then discusses the cultural relationship for jewelry between India and the Middle East as Titan Company just acquired Damas Jewellery. The two then analyze why the Indian consumer economy may be the be dominant source of new growth for the diamond industry in the coming decades. Next, Paul and Richa talk about lab-grown diamond penetration in the Indian consumer market versus the U.S. Finally, Richa shares thoughts on the future of the NDC following the Luanda Accords and the announcement that CEO David Kellie will be retiring at the end of the year.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Richa Singh

Guest plug: www.naturaldiamonds.com

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 71st episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Sam Indelicato from U.S. wholesaler RDI Diamonds joins the show. The episode begins with Paul and Sam talking about how retailers are viewing the proposition of selling lab-grown diamonds as of mid-2025. Next, the two discuss why certain larger, fancy-shaped natural diamond categories are outperforming the rest of the market. The two then discuss the impact that the Trump administration’s tariff campaign has had on the domestic diamond and jewelry market. Finally, Paul and Sam have a spirited debate around the Natural Diamond Council’s latest "guerrilla" campaign while discussing the general direction that natural diamond marketing has taken.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Sam Indelicato

Guest plug: www.rdidiamonds.com

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, well respected Canadian diamond industry veteran Jon Phillips returns. The conversation begins with Paul and Jon analyzing the current state of the natural diamond market. They then discuss the “elephant in the room,” i.e. lab-grown diamonds, and the impact that the product is having on natural diamonds. Finally, the two talk about De Beers’ DIamondProof machine, Botswana marketing its diamonds and the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on the diamond and jewelry industry.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Jon Phillips

Guest plug:

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

Author and industry expert Rob Bates joins Paul for the 8th time in episode #69 of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast. The episode begins with Paul airing his frustration over how some retailers are selling lab-grown diamonds. The two then discuss the current state of the larger diamond industry and the evolution of natural and LGD coexisting. Next, Rob shares what he sees as an analog between the debut of online diamond retailers in the 2000’s, such as Blue Nile, and the more recent mainstream introduction of LGD. The two go on to discuss treated natural diamonds, the global recession in luxury goods, and how Rob’s upcoming 4th book, “Making a Killing in Diamonds,” parallels some of the pertinent issues the diamond and jewelry industry faces.  

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Rob Bates

Guest plug: www.robbatesauthor.com

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 68th episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Amelia Bourdeau returns for a macro-themed episode. The conversation begins with Paul and Amelia discussing the upcoming U.S. presidential election and the impact that it can have on the economy, financial markets and diamond demand. Next the two discuss the Federal Reserve’s latest move to cut interest rates and how it relates to inflation and employment in the U.S. Amelia then shares her views on the residential real estate market, especially as it pertains to her home state of Florida. Next, Paul analyzes the root of the current lull in the global diamond trade. Finally, Paul and Amelia talk about the economic state of China and what it means for the global economy and especially the luxury industry.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Amelia Bourdeau

Guest plug: Amelia’s LinkedIn page

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 67th episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, long-time industry expert Erez Rivlin returns to the show. The conversation begins with Paul and Erez analyzing the severity of the current industry downturn. Next, the two share thoughts on the longer-term implications of lab-grown diamonds on the legacy diamond industry. Then, they talk about Western sanctions on Russian diamonds and Erez shares a story of when he was in Moscow in the midst of the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s. Finally, Paul and Erez talk about the future of diamond mining in Angola and the importance of a consumer recovery in China.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Erez Rivlin

Guest plug: www.diamondherald.com

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 66th episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, now-retired, long-time De Beers executive Charles Stanley joins the show. The episode begins with Charles recounting his earlier days at De Beers in the 1990’s, especially as it pertains to the marketing side of the business and the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign. Next, Paul shares his view on De Beers’ execution of the company’s Lightbox lab-grown diamond strategy. The two then share thoughts on the impact that LGDs have had on the natural diamond business while envisioning what the future could look like. Finally, Paul asks Charles what his natural diamond strategy would be today if the original De Beers marketing team were still together and the two discuss future geographic regions of growth for the diamond industry.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Charles Stanley

Guest plug: Charles’s LinkedIn page

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

U.S.-based “master diamond cutter” Maarten de Witte joins Paul to discuss an array of industry topics. The episode begins with Maarten explaining what it’s like being an independent diamond manufacturer in American given that the large majority of this work is now done in India and China. Next, the two discuss the process of creating a proprietary diamond cut and Maarten tells the story of Hearts on Fire’s success. They then analyze the state of the lab-grown diamond market and share thoughts on how the larger diamond industry should approach marketing and branding. Finally, Maarten talks a little bit about living in Boise, Idaho, and his bonsai tree hobby.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Maarten de Witte

Guest plug: www.americandiamondcutter.com

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.

In this 64th episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Andrew Rickard from RDI Diamonds, a large diamond and jewelry wholesaler in Upstate New York, joins the show. The episode begins with Paul and Andrew talking about Oak Hill Country Club of which Andrew is a member. Next, the two analyze the state of diamond inventory in the supply chain and how currently volatile diamond prices are impacting the trade. Then they share their intermediate and longer-term views on lab-grown diamonds and the impact on natural diamonds. Next, they discuss falling consumer engagement ring budgets, diamond grading from the standpoint of a wholesaler, and if retailers will pivot back to prioritizing the selling of natural diamonds (over LGD). Finally, the two discuss how Western sanctions on Russian diamonds could impact what is already a fragile diamond market.

Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky

Guest: Andrew Rickard

Guest plug: www.rdidiamonds.com

More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www.paulzimnisky.com/products

Show contact: [email protected] or visit www.paulzimnisky.com.

Please note that the contents of this podcast includes anecdotes, observations and opinions. The information should not be considered investment or financial advice. Consult your investment professional before making any investment decisions. Please read full disclosure at: www.paulzimnisky.com.