Business Wars Diamond Wars | Diamond Dogfight | 3
Jul 1, 2020
Set against the backdrop of World War II, a Dutch diamond merchant navigates high-stakes negotiations to protect precious gems from Nazis. The rise of De Beers reveals how diamonds became a symbol of defiance and romance in America. As the Oppenheimer family takes the reins, they face new challenges, including a game-changing discovery in Siberia. The intertwining of smuggling, legacy, and societal shifts showcases the diamonds' pivotal role in history and culture during turbulent times.
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Diamond Smuggling
- Jan Smit, a Dutch diamond merchant, smuggled industrial diamonds out of Amsterdam.
- He collected them from traders and delivered them to De Beers' London office.
Diamond Importance
- Industrial diamonds were crucial for wartime armament production.
- The US government faced challenges securing them due to De Beers' monopoly and antitrust concerns.
Oppenheimer's Resistance
- Ernest Oppenheimer, head of De Beers, resisted US demands for a large diamond stockpile.
- He feared post-war price collapse if the war ended abruptly.