Throughout 2008 and 2009 production levels of, rough diamonds steadily reduced. In 2010 this trend changed and production continued in line with demand through 2011. However, consumer demand for diamonds is being driven globally by generic marketing campaigns, focusing on the enduring value of diamonds. This means that long term supply and demand trends remain very positive.
Diamond markets are expanding, most noticeably in China and India - whilst known supplies are diminishing. De Beers, who produce and market 40% of the world's supply of rough diamonds, discovered 37 kimberlites in 2008. This compares to 45 kimberlites in 2007. At the current rate of extraction it is predicted that the world has only 50 years of diamond mining remaining.
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