Ge Long Hui·2026-01-27 03:44Core Viewpoint - The diamond industry is experiencing significant changes as De Beers, the largest natural diamond producer, has announced substantial price reductions for diamonds over 0.75 carats, marking the first explicit price cut in over a year, driven by the rise of lab-grown diamonds and changing consumer preferences [1][7][12]. Group 1: Market Performance - The cultivated diamond sector showed strong performance on January 27, with stocks like Huanghe Xuanfeng hitting the daily limit, and others like Sifangda and Huifeng Diamond rising over 8% [1]. - Huanghe Xuanfeng's stock price reached 7.16, reflecting a 9.98% increase, while Sifangda and Huifeng Diamond saw increases of 8.37% and 8.29%, respectively [2]. Group 2: Price Adjustments by De Beers - De Beers has implemented a significant price reduction for mid to high-end natural diamonds, with a cumulative price drop of 40% for mainstream products in 2023 and further reductions planned for 2024 and 2025 [8][10]. - The price adjustments are a response to market changes, including high inflation and economic uncertainty, which have suppressed demand for high-end discretionary spending [12]. Group 3: Rise of Lab-Grown Diamonds - Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly penetrating the mid-range and wedding markets, posing a dual challenge to natural diamonds in terms of price and perceived value [12]. - The production of lab-grown diamonds has scaled significantly, with China being a major player, accounting for approximately 63% of global production capacity [20]. - The market for lab-grown diamonds in China is currently valued at around 14 billion, projected to exceed 102.5 billion by 2030, indicating a transformative shift in consumer preferences [20]. Group 4: Consumer Trends - Lab-grown diamonds are appealing to younger consumers due to their affordability, costing about one-tenth of the price of comparable natural diamonds [16][17]. - The rapid production of lab-grown diamonds, which can be created in as little as one week, contrasts sharply with the lengthy natural diamond formation process [15].