(IDEX Online) - De Beers today said rough sales during its final cycle of the year were $410m (provisional).That takes its 2022 total to $6.12bn - an increase of just over a fifth (21 per cent) on 2021 sales of $4.82bn. Sales during Covid-hit 2020 were $2.79bn. In 2019, De Beers sold $4.04bn.Sales during cycle 10 were down slightly from cycle 9, with sales of $454m, but up on cycle 10 of 2021 ($336m).Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: "Demand for our rough diamonds over the final sales cycle of 2022 was in line with expectations, ahead of the normal seasonal closure of polishing factories in southern Africa over the Christmas period and with Sightholders taking a prudent approach ahead of restocking after Christmas and the expected re-opening of the China market."Earlier this month the UK-based miner said it was extending sightholders' three-year contracts for an extra year as global uncertainties persist.Pic courtesy De Beers