Who Buys Rough Diamonds -

Middlemen play a vital role in the "secondary market." These traders buy rough parcels from smaller mines or at auctions and break them down into smaller, more specific lots. They then sell these tailored packages to smaller manufacturers who may only need specific sizes or qualities of stones. 4. Industrial Buyers

The most prominent buyers are "Sightholders." These are elite diamond manufacturing and trading companies authorized to buy directly from major mining giants like De Beers or ALROSA. These sales happen at "sights"—exclusive events held several times a year. Sightholders must meet strict financial and ethical standards to maintain their status, often buying hundreds of millions of dollars in rough stones annually. 2. Diamond Manufacturers (The Cutters) who buys rough diamonds

In recent years, some private investment funds have begun buying high-quality rough diamonds as a hedge against inflation. Unlike polished diamonds, which have a more transparent market price, rough diamonds require immense expertise to value, making this a niche area for sophisticated investors. Middlemen play a vital role in the "secondary market

A small, elite group of luxury brands—such as Tiffany & Co., Graff, and Harry Winston—occasionally buy exceptional, "special" category rough stones. By purchasing a massive rough diamond directly, these houses can oversee the entire provenance and cutting process to ensure the final gem meets their specific brand standards for "perfection." 6. Specialized Investors and Harry Winston—occasionally buy exceptional