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...
Jun 28, 2025•1 hr 8 min
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. tarif...
Apr 02, 2025•35 min
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 ma...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 8 min
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 m...
Sep 30, 2024•53 min
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 Un...
Sep 07, 2024•1 hr 8 min
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 ...
Jul 22, 2024•55 min
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...
Jul 15, 2024•45 min
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 diamon...
Jun 29, 2024•42 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Anthony Tsang, CEO of The Future Rocks, returns. The conversation begins with Anthony giving an update on the company and the two discuss Chinese consumers’ acceptance of lab-grown diamonds. Paul and Anthony then discuss the background of the company’s proprietary “The Ring II,” a lab-grown diamond solitaire ring with a created sapphire shank. Then, the two talk about how falling LGD prices are impacting the retail business and what...
Jun 04, 2024•38 min
In this 62nd episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, good friend of the show Amish Shah returns. The conversation begins with Paul and Amish analyzing the current “tornado” of factors impacting the global diamond industry: supply hangover, Russian sanctions, LGDs and a possible sale of De Beers. Next, Amish explains the sentiment of diamond manufactures in India and whether they will “give up” on natural diamonds. The two then discuss the future of the lab-diamond business and th...
May 16, 2024•59 min
Mystery novelist and JCK News Director Rob Bates returns to the show for a seventh time. The show begins with Paul analyzing whether the current diamond market softness is more cyclical or secular in nature. Next, Paul and Rob talk about how the retail segment of the trade is currently viewing lab-grown diamonds and whether a “pivot” back to natural diamonds is in the cards. The two then discuss what they got right and wrong about the evolution of LGD jewelry over the last decade. Next, Paul and...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 7 min
David Kellie, the CEO of the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), returns to the show for a third time. The conversation begins with David discussing the NDC’s recent marketing shoot in Canada’s Northwest Territories with actress Lily James. David then shares his cold-water plunge experience in minus 30-degree temperatures. Paul and David then go on to talk about the NDC’s process for selecting celebrity representatives. The two then discuss De Beers’ seeming return to a more generic focused diamond m...
Apr 13, 2024•48 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, economic and financial market strategist Amelia Bourdeau joins the show to discuss an array of macro fundamental factors likely to impact the diamond trade. The conversation begins with Paul and Amelia discussing the Federal Reserve's impact on the U.S. economy and what this means for consumers. The discussion then moves to how de-globalization and technology, specifically the advent of AI, will impact the trajectory of inflation. T...
Mar 19, 2024•50 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Canadian polished diamond wholesaler Mel Moss returns. Paul and Mel begin by discussing whether the current market downturn is more cyclical or secular in nature. The two then talk about the latest developments in man-made diamonds and Mel shares why he thinks LGDs will end up being sold out of gumball machines. The conversation then switches to the pending G7 (Western) sanctions on Russian diamonds and what it means for the larger ...
Dec 07, 2023•45 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, world-renowned gemologist Guy Borenstein joins the show. The episode kicks off with Paul and Guy talking about how many undisclosed lab-diamonds are making their way through the natural diamond supply chain. The conversation then transitions to a discussion on future consumer demand for lab-diamonds relative to natural and how retailers will adapt their businesses. The two then discuss the nuances between HPHT and CVD lab-diamond pr...
Nov 14, 2023•30 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Amish Shah of ALTR Created Diamonds and J’evar returns to the show. The conversation begins with Amish explaining how he is marketing and distributing his new lab-diamond jewelry brand. Next, Paul and Amish discuss U.S. jewelers’ relative hesitancy to stock inventory for the upcoming holiday season. Then the two discuss what declining lab-diamond prices, and thus margins, could mean for the downstream segment of the trade longer-ter...
Oct 29, 2023•1 hr 20 min
Paul welcomes Rob Bates back to the show to discuss the release of his third book in the Diamond District Mystery Series, "Slay it With a Diamond." The conversation begins with Paul asking Rob if he gets a “serotonin boost” upon the completion of a book. Next, the two delve into the question of whether there will be a specific cataclysmic moment that changes the trajectory of the lab-diamond industry as supply feverishly grows and prices fall. Next, Paul and Rob explain why they think natural di...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 14 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Hans Merket joins from Antwerp, Belgium. The conversation begins Paul and Hans discussing the Russian mercenary group Wagner and its link to diamond production, notably in the Central African Republic (CAR). The conversation then moves to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the two talk about the work that Hans has done monitoring humans rights related to gold mining in the country. Paul and Hans then discuss Marange diamonds...
Jul 24, 2023•36 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, De Beers’ Sightholder Molefi Letsiki joins from Johannesburg. The conversation begins with Molefi briefly sharing his story of being a second generation diamantaire in South Africa. Paul and Molefi then discuss the current state of the rough and polished diamond market and speculate on how the remainder of the year will play out. The two then delve a little bit deeper and discuss price performance of rough diamonds by size category....
Jun 30, 2023•37 min
In this more technical episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, globally respected gemologist Branko Deljanin joins the show to discuss the detection of lab-diamonds and the chemical traceability of natural diamonds. The conversation begins with Branko telling the story of the first time he saw a gem-quality CVD lab-diamond. Paul and Branko then discuss whether man-made diamond producers will ever get good enough that labs will not be able to distinguish them from natural diamonds...
May 23, 2023•36 min
In this 51st episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Rob Bates, a favorite guest of the show, returns. The episode begins with Paul explaining why he is bullish on the Mexican economy. The conversation then moves to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence as Paul and Rob share thoughts on what AI means for the diamond and jewelry industry –and on a more existential level. The two then discuss how the technological progression of humanity could be supportive of natural di...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Israeli-Belgian diamond industry consultant Erez Rivlin joins Paul to candidly discuss an array of topics including sanctions on Russian diamonds, rough diamond prices and the impact that lab-diamonds will have on the natural diamond industry. The episode begins will Erez giving his first-hand account of the evolution of the rough diamond trade over the last three-plus decades including what it was like in Russia before and during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the 1990’s. Next, Erez tel...
Apr 23, 2023•49 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Paul welcomes Chinese diamond influencer and consultant Michael Zhu, aka “Diamond Spectator,” to the show. The two begin by discussing the history of diamonds in China and Michael explains why a diamond engagement ring remains a “solid need” for a marriage in China. Paul and Michael then talk about the emergence of lab-grown diamonds in China and what it means for natural diamond demand. They then discuss China’s contribution to glo...
Apr 04, 2023•24 min
In this episode, Paul welcomes back David Kellie, the CEO of the Natural Diamond Council (NDC). The conversation starts out with a discussion about the secondhand, or recycled, diamond market and how that could portray value retention for natural diamonds. Next, Paul and David talk about the NDC’s recent “mystery shopper” program and how that work has shed light on consumers’ as well as jewelers’ understanding of lab versus natural diamonds. The two then talk about how lab-diamonds are covered b...
Mar 02, 2023•44 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, well-respected London-based Gemologist Eric Emms joins the show. The conversation begins with Eric explaining why he does not think there will ever be a point in time when the industry cannot distinguish between man-made and natural diamonds. Next, Paul and Eric discuss how the gem-grading industry has evolved over the years. Then, the two theorize why the diamond industry has been so resilient for so long and Eric recounts memories...
Feb 07, 2023•47 min
Toronto-based author Tim Falconer joins Paul to discuss an array of topics including a recent magazine article he wrote on the future of diamond mining in Canada’s north. The conversation begins with the two discussing the state of the diamond industry in the Northwest Territories, especially as the world-class Diavik and Ekati mines approach of end of their conventional life. Next, the discussion transitions to the origins of the sport of ice hockey as Tim covered in his recently published book...
Jan 17, 2023•56 min
Well respected South African geologist and geochemist, Dr. John Bristow, joins the show from his home in Hermanus. The conversation begins with Paul and John reviewing the trend of declining global natural diamond supply and discussing what will keep natural diamonds relevant going into the future. The two then have a discussion on each of the primary diamond producing nations in southern Africa including: Angola, Botswana, the DRC and Namibia. Next, John gives his general view on the current st...
Jan 01, 2023•56 min
In this episode, Paul is joined by Deborah Aroshas and Talchaim Damri to discuss how their company Capsoul is “presenting the new era of diamond.” The conversation begins with Deborah discussing Capsoul’s collaboration with TAG Heuer to produce the Carrera Plasma watch –a first of its kind timepiece that includes over 10-carats of single-crystal and polycrystalline lab diamond. The group then discusses if novel diamond jewelry is driven more by artistic vision or engineering capability. Next, Ta...
Dec 19, 2022•31 min
In this episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, good friend of the show Rob Bates returns for the fourth time. The conversation begins with Paul reviewing Rob’s diamond industry predictions from 15 years ago. Next, the two speculate on what the next 15 years could bring. Then, Paul and Rob discuss the latest impact that U.S. sanctions are having on the flow of Russian diamonds. The conversation then moves to the “explosion” of lab-diamond production capacity in India and what it ...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 21 min
In this 41st episode of the Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast, Paul enthusiastically welcomes Stuart Brown to the show. As the former co-CEO of De Beers and most recently CEO of Mountain Province Diamonds, Stuart provides a glimpse into the mind of one of the most prominent executives in the diamond industry. The conversation begins with Paul posing the big question: how long will diamonds stay relevant in the modern and changing consumer economy? Next, the discussion more specifically tur...
Oct 26, 2022•55 min
