Can anyone save the world’s most important diamond company?
De Beers is in peril
In February 1908 Joseph Asscher, a master cutter of diamonds, cleaved the Cullinan at his workshop in Amsterdam. So tough was the South African diamond, the largest ever found, that Mr Asscher’s first attempt split his blade instead. The diamond industry is once again gripped by a nail-biting separation. This time, its most important company is facing the chop.
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This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Unnatural resources”
Business May 25th 2024
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