Billionaire Johann Rupert’s ‘golden child’ in talks to buy iconic 138-year-old South African company

• Luxury giant Richemont and US retailer Signet Jewellers are in talks to join a consortium that’s in a prime position to buy diamond miner De Beers, according to five people familiar with the matter.
• The two groups are in talks with Global Diamond Consortium — a vehicle headed by former De Beers Chief Executive Officer Gareth Penny — about joining the group, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the talks are private.
• Richemont shares were little changed in Zurich, after dropping as much as 1.1% following the news about the talks with GDC.