Miners managed to dig themselves out yesterday after weeks of being in the red as the US bellwether Alcoa reported better than expected results. The aluminium producer is the first to report earnings in the US each quarter, and beat expectations this time around. This, combined with better economic news across the board, a rise in metal prices and news of falling Chinese production costs sent metal miners soaring.

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Independent Crossword
EMERALDS: An emerald in a Bogota, Colombia, laboratory in 2007. The CEO of Gemfields Plc wants to find a glamorous celebrity like Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn to promote sales of the green gemstone.

Next Marilyn sought to sell emeralds over diamonds

Ian Harebottle is searching for a global celebrity to do for emeralds what Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn did for diamonds.

Tom Bawden: Rivals will keep outperforming Anglo American

Investment View: Cynthia Carroll didn't do such a bad job in an extremely difficult situation

FTSE 100 loses another female boss as Anglo American's Cynthia Carroll steps down

The FTSE 100 Index is to lose another female chief executive after Cynthia Carroll announced she is to step down as boss of Anglo American.

Engineering quartet set to share £100m bonus payout

Four executives are in line to pocket the lion's share of a £100m paper fortune from a lucrative incentive plan after turning round a string of unloved industrial assets.

Graff files for flotation in Hong Kong

London-based jewellery business Graff Diamonds is looking to sparkle in Hong Kong in April, with plans for a $1bn (£636m) float.

Diamonds may be losing their sparkle as De Beers growth slows

De Beers, the diamond miner which acts as the canary-down-the-mine for the ultra-luxury goods sector, yesterday sounded a warning call that the party may be coming to an end.

De Beers sale signals end of an empire

First founded by Cecil Rhodes, De Beers' sale to Anglo American puts the diamond miner back in British hands

De Beers sparkles on higher sales

De Beers, one of the world's largest diamond producers, posted a 55 per cent jump in first-half earnings to $1.2bn (£732m) on the back of record sales and an unprecedented jump in prices, driven by China, India and unexpectedly strong demand from the US.

The Business On: Philippe Mellier, CEO-designate, De Beers

Diamonds are forever?

Market Report: Shire in rude health as takeover chat re-emerges

Market gossips turned once again to Shire last night as renewed speculation, plus raised expectations ahead of its forthcoming results, helped to galvanise the drug maker.

Global recovery gives De Beers back its sparkle

Diamond giant De Beers has recovered its sparkle, bouncing back to profitability last year thanks to rising prices and roaring demand from emerging economies.

Cullinan diamond sale boosts Petra

Petra diamonds, the largest diamond producer on London's junior AIM market, posted better-than-expected annual results yesterday, boosted by the sale of the 507-carat Cullinan Heritage diamond.

Johan Dippenaar: Diamonds are also a man's best friend

The Business Interview: The chief executive of Petra Diamonds tells Alistair Dawber how the world's most famous mine just keeps on giving

Raiders grabbed £380,000 haul

The gang behind a raid on an exclusive jewellery store stole valuables with an estimated retail value of £380,000, police said last night.

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The Dr Feelgood guitarist talks frankly about his terminal illness
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Before you stuff your luggage with this year's Man Booker longlist titles, the case for some varied poolside reading alternatives
What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

Rupert Cornwell: What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

The CIA whistleblower struck a blow for us all, but his 1970s predecessor showed how to win
'A man walks into a bar': Comedian Seann Walsh on the dangers of mixing alcohol and stand-up

Comedian Seann Walsh on alcohol and stand-up

Comedy and booze go together, says Walsh. The trouble is stopping at just the one. So when do the hangovers stop being funny?
From Edinburgh to Hollywood (via the Home Counties): 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Edinburgh to Hollywood: 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
'Hello. I have cancer': When comedian Tig Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on

Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'

When Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on
They think it's all ova: Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Our chef made his name cooking eggs, but he’s never stopped looking for new ways to serve them
The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

With its own Tiger Woods - South Korea's Inbee Park - the women's game has a growing audience
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The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

Briefings are off the record leading to transfer speculation which is merely a means to an end