Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast

The Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast provides a look into the global diamond industry with leading analyst Paul Zimnisky. Each episode features a full-length interview with a special guest to discuss the diamond industry and related topics while sharing interesting observations, thoughts and analysis. A wide range of guests from around the world have joined the show from all segments of the diamond supply chain and beyond, including: exploration geologists, jewelry designers, marketing experts, journalists, novelists, economists, consultants, technology experts and artists, from India, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, England, Canada and the U.S.

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Episodes

Guest: Michelle Graff

Paul and Michelle begin by discussing lab-created diamonds and how the product will ultimately be seen by consumers: as fashion or fine jewelry? The two then talk about how lab-created fits into independent jewelers’ merchandizing strategies, what the net reduction of jewelers in American means for the industry and how the growth of independent jewelry designers is a trend to watch. Paul then asks Michelle her reaction to the latest large diamond that was auctioned by Sotheby’s Hong Kong for $16...

Nov 23, 2020•26 min

Guest: Rob Bates Returns

Paul welcomes back industry journalist Rob Bates to talk about his recently published novel “A Murder is Forever.” Paul and Rob also discuss the latest developments in lab-grown diamonds and Blue Nile’s expansion plans. The conversation concludes with the two analyzing Amazon’s latest foray into luxury, the company’s invitation-only site “Luxury Stores.” Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Rob Bates Guest plug: www.robbatesauthor.com More information on PZDA’s State of the Diamond Market report: www...

Oct 29, 2020•37 min

Guest: David Kellie

Paul talks with marketing executive and CEO of the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) David Kellie about how his fresh perspective positions him well for the role of leading the industry’s category marketing effort. Paul and David also discuss what made De Beers’ “A Diamond is Forever” campaign so successful, what distributing marketing content is like in 2020, how the media covers the diamond industry and where to draw the line with “too much transparency” in retail. Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: ...

Oct 13, 2020•22 min

Guest: Peter Sainsbury

Paul talks with UK-based economist and author Peter Sainsbury. Paul starts by asking Peter how his new book on navigating the daily barrage of information prepared him for the pandemic. The two then discuss whether the global gold market is manipulated and if there is a ceiling on the gold price. Paul and Peter also talk about humans’ innate desire for precious metals and stones, whether the contract-backed-structure of selling diamonds is ideal, where we are in the current commodity cycle, if t...

Oct 01, 2020•29 min

Guest: Geoffrey Madderson

Paul talks with Geoffrey Madderson of TOMRA about how advancements in sorting equipment technology, using x-ray and near-infrared sensors, has significantly improved diamond recovery in recent years, yielding record breaking stones such as the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, the 813-carat Constellation and the 1,758-carat Sewelô –all of which were recovered by Lucara Diamond at the Karowe mine in Botswana. Geoffrey recalls the day he first heard the news of the Lesedi and Constellation recoveries an...

Sep 09, 2020•41 min

Guest: Katie Fergusson

Paul talks with De Beers’ Senior Vice President of Social Impact, Katie Fergusson, about the company’s kimberlite carbon capture initiative, CarbonVault. Katie provides a background on how De Beers got involved with the project and then the two discuss what it could mean for carbon neutral, or even net-negative-emission, diamond mining. Katie then provides an update on De Beers’ parent Anglo American’s initiative to develop the first hydrogen powered mine haul truck. Lastly, the two discuss what...

Aug 12, 2020•21 min

Guest: Cleo Abram

Paul talks with documentary film producer Cleo Abram about her recent Netflix Explained episode on diamonds. Cleo shares why she chose the topic of diamonds for the piece, talks about what the production process was like and discusses her newfound opinion of the diamond industry. The episode is concluded with the two discussing thoughts on using independently produced content as a foray into a professional career, in this case film production. Hosted by: Paul Zimnisky Guest: Cleo Abram Guest plu...

Dec 19, 2019•33 min

Guest: Reena Ahluwalia

Paul discusses diamond jewelry with the very talented designer and artist Reena Ahluwalia. The two discuss diamond jewelry consumer tastes and trends, how this has changed and the direction it is headed. Reena shares how demographics, culture and value propositions are incorporated into the design process. The two then discuss the growing desire for branded jewelry, the impact of social media and globalization on consumer preferences and the importance of provenance. The conversation is conclude...

Aug 01, 2019•23 min

Guest: Sally Morrison

In this episode, Paul talks with industry marketing expert Sally Morrison, currently Chief Marketing Officer of Lightbox, De Beers’ lab-grown diamond jewelry brand. The conversation starts with a discussion about how the diamond industry has not moved fast enough in recent years to embrace a changing consumer. However, Sally expresses her enthusiasm towards the emergence of so many new, young jewelry designers and the positive impact that can have on the industry. Next, the two discuss the diamo...

May 17, 2019•32 min

Guest: Ken Johnson

In this episode, Paul talks with Ken Johnson of Lipari Mineração about how he brought a Brazilian diamond exploration project into the first and only kimberlite diamond mine in South America. The two discuss the rich history of diamond mining in Brazil and potential the nation holds to become a more significant source of modern commercial diamond production. Paul and Ken then talk about the potential for Brazil to become a new consumer market for diamonds given that it is the 9th largest economy...

May 07, 2019•31 min

Guest: Rob Bates

In this debut episode, Paul discusses the current state of the diamond industry with leading journalist Rob Bates from JCK magazine. The two discuss whether the negative sentiment in the diamond industry is justified and how the industry can continue to drive demand for diamonds in the post- De Beers’ monopoly era. The discussion then turns to lab-created diamonds and the success of Lightbox one-year after launch. Lastly, the talk delves into Rob’s recent research on the environmental and social...

Apr 01, 2019•53 min

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