Not like any of us will cry for them any time soon, but it sounds like DeBeers’ world domination of diamonds has hit a snag:
De Beers once controlled (though did not mine directly) some 80% of the world supply of rough stones. As recently as 1998 it accounted for nearly two-thirds of supply. Today production from its own mines gives it a mere 45% share. Only a contract to sell Russian stones lifts its overall market share to around 55%.
[from The Economist]