Gems set to lose some sparkle

DIAMONDS are expected to become less of a girl's best friend this year as the world's biggest producer of the gems, De Beers, forecast sales lower than those of 2002. Last year sales of rough stones grew by 15.7% to $5.15bn at De Beers, which is 45% owned by international mining giant Anglo American. It received profits from privately-owned De Beers of $324m that helped lift Anglo American shares 3p to 896 1/2p today.