Scoop of the Year!

On reading about the Lightbox launch by De Beers, we’ll admit, the first thought that popped in our heads was: “Wonder what Chaim would have had to say about it?!” And so we tried reaching out to the now reclusive industry pundit, who was busy enjoying his retirement. But great journalists don’t retire. And we were lucky that the consummate investigative reporter in him rose to the bait.

Chaim Even-Zohar – whose incisive, witty comments and analysis about the diamond industry in the Diamond Intelligence Briefs kept the trade better informed, engaged and entertained for years – has penned our Cover Story on Lightbox: the most talked about disruption to hit the diamond industry in recent times. Industry expert Pranay Narvekar, who has worked with Chaim for several years, has shared his inputs in the article.

The Cover Story is supplemented by De Beers’ point of view as well as the opinions of world leaders across the supply chain, including Alrosa, WFDB, GIA and Chow Tai Fook among others, in Industry Reactions.

Back on home turf, shrinking bank finance has the whole Indian industry worried. We caught up with GJEPC executive director Sabyasachi Ray, who informed us that the 10% cut in bank lending to the industry will directly affect exports, with SMEs bearing most of the brunt.

The IIJS Special Issue has many more stories related to design, retail, collectible Jewellery and blockchain among others. Happy reading.