Editorial -- Opportunity beckons
The diamond industry, even though on the crest of a boom, is in a state of flux. With the De Beers shedding the mantle as custodian of the industry and donning the role of a `responsible' leader, the industry is fast changing from being a production and supply-led one to becoming a marketing-led one.

Marketing is the key today
At the recent Rough Diamonds Conference at Tel Aviv, a gathering of over 90 per cent diamond producers and 50 per cent manufacturers thrashed out various issues concerning the diamond industry .

Cometh the new order
It was only after the 5-1 whitewash by the Australians in 1975 and the record breaking fourth innings winning score by the Indians at the Port of Spain in 1976 that Clive Lloyd, the then West Indies cricket captain, unleashed the 4-pronged pace attack to rule the cricketing world for the next decade-and-half.

"No rough sales via the Net"
De Beers has been playing the role of guardian of the diamond industry for more than six decades now through the CSO (central selling organisation). In the fast changing environment, the conglomerate now wishes to be the `leader of the industry' and not the `controller'.

Jewellery export target $2 bn
The last two years have been a dream come true for the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Exports of cut and polished diamonds crossed the 50 % mark during 1998-99 at over $5 billion. And surprisingly, even to itself, even surpassed that level during 1999-2000.