Following De Beers’ August sight, Paul Rowley, the company’s executive vice president of global sightholder sales, spoke to JCK about the current state of the diamond market.  JCK: There are reports that De Beers lowered prices at its August sight 9 to 10 percent. Is that true? Rowley: We won’t give numbers, but we have reduced prices. If you look at the half-year results, we have reported that prices decreased 8 percent.  Polished prices are under pressure, and there is an overhang of polished coming into the market. Our response has been a significant cut in production and to allow our sightholders more flexibility and to make a greater investment in marketing. We feel that is the proper response.  JCK: What caused the current problems? Rowley: We are coming off the back of last year, which was a very good year. At the beginning of this year, th