692: Chapter 687 My Confidence

The European and American markets were nearing saturation, and the purchasing power of the old money families was declining. Meanwhile, the emerging Asian market, especially the Chinese market, was firmly controlled by international jewelry giants who spun elaborate brand stories.

The Vanderberg Family, despite possessing top-tier craftsmanship and reputation, suffered from a lack of channels and platforms, forced to operate only as high-end suppliers, watching others rake in the lion's share of the profits.

Elias waved his hand, signaling his son to remain silent.

For the first time, a genuine scrutiny shone through his clouded eyes.

"Mr. Shen, whatever you wish to say, please be direct."

"Good."

Shen Yan leaned forward, placing his hands clasped on the table.

"This industry is too old."

"Its rules have barely changed in a hundred years. A few major giants monopolize the upstream mining rights, they define the midstream cutting and grading system, and they package the downstream brand value."

"What consumers are actually buying—is it a diamond, a story, or just an expensive marketing fee?"

"A rough diamond mined in South Africa arrives at a counter in a Hong Kong City jewelry store, its price multiplied fifty times. How much of the value in between is transparent? And how much is just bubble consumers shouldn't have to bear?"

Every word Shen Yan spoke was like a precise scalpel, cutting open the glamorous exterior of the industry to expose the deeply entrenched chain of interests within.

Martin’s face shifted from pale to red; he wanted to retort, but realized that every single word the other person spoke was a bloody reality.

Elias remained silent, merely picking up his coffee and taking a slow sip.

"So?" the old man asked.

"So, there needs to be a disruptor."

Shen Yan’s voice was not loud, but it resonated with force.

"In Hong Kong City, I have established a brand-new jewelry brand called 'Nirvana'."

"Nirvana Jewelry isn't just selling diamonds; it intends to redefine the value of diamonds."

"What do you mean?" Elias showed interest.

"Two core principles."

Shen Yan held up two fingers.

"First, absolute transparency."

"I own a technology company that is developing a blockchain-based traceability system, which I call the 'Star Trace' system."

"From now on, every single diamond sold through 'Nirvana', from the moment it is mined in the concession area, its ownership, every transfer, cutting, and appraisal data will be recorded on the 'Star Trace' system, forming a unique, immutable digital identity chain."

"Consumers can scan it with their phones and see the diamond's entire 'life.' Which mine it came from, which master cut it, what the original data for the grading certificate is—everything will be clear."

"Blood diamonds? Fake certificates? Inflated grades? Under the 'Star Trace' system, all of it will be exposed."

The workshop fell into a dead silence.

Martin’s breathing hitched.

Blockchain? He had only heard the term in financial news; it felt distant and illusory.

But when spoken by Shen Yan, it carried an undeniable sense of reality and disruption.

Elias’s hand gripping the coffee cup had knuckles turning slightly white.

He saw further and deeper than his son.

He instantly understood the terrifying implications of this system.

This wasn't just technological innovation; it was a dimensional strike against the existing rules of the entire industry!

It would completely shatter the old information barriers, leaving no recourse for the middlemen and brands that profited handsomely from information opacity.

"What is the second core principle?" Elias’s voice was somewhat hoarse.

"The second core principle is story."

Shen Yan’s gaze fell upon the box containing the 'star of ishtar'.

"The true value of a piece of jewelry has never just been its carat weight or clarity; it is the emotion and history it carries."

"The 'star of ishtar' is like that, and the 'Heart of Athena' you just gifted me is the same."

"What 'Nirvana' aims to do is amplify this value. We will cooperate with global museums, historians, and top designers to endow every sufficiently legendary diamond with its own unique cultural attribute."

"It might be a princess's dowry, the discovery made by an explorer in desperation, or the crystallization of a scientist's lifelong effort."

"Buyers will no longer receive a cold stone, but a history that can be passed down, a story worth telling."

Shen Yan finished speaking and looked quietly at Elias.

He didn't add another word.

He knew that for a smart man like Elias, what he had said was more than enough.

After a long pause, Elias let out a long breath, as if expelling all the shock from his chest.

He looked at Shen Yan, his expression incredibly complex.

He had thought Shen Yan was merely a powerful figure with a mysterious background and formidable means.

Now he realized he had been completely wrong.

This wasn't some strong figure; this was clearly a commercial magnate standing in the future, looking down upon the present!

If the blueprint he described was realized, the entire diamond and jewelry industry would face a cataclysmic revolution.

And the Vanderberg Family would either be drowned by the torrent of the era, or... they would board this ark sailing toward a new world.

"Why should I believe you?" Martin was the one who spoke. Although deeply shaken, his reason was still intact.

"Everything you say sounds beautiful, but achieving it is as hard as climbing to heaven. Why would you make those mining giants cooperate with your 'Star Trace' system? And why would you dare to contend with those deeply entrenched international brands?"

"Based on you being just a new brand in Hong Kong City?"

Shen Yan smiled.

He pulled out his phone from his pocket, brought up an interface, and handed it over.

"The issue with the mining giants, I have already solved it."

On the phone screen was an electronic agreement just signed.

The Party A of the agreement was Shen Yan's Shenyan Group.

And Party B was none other than the world's third-largest diamond mining company—Anglo Far East Mining.

The content of the agreement was simple: Shenyan Group would provide a complete intelligent production and security system upgrade plan for all Anglo Far East mining areas. In return, Anglo Far East would become the first partner to join the 'Star Trace' system and promise to supply Nirvana Jewelry with high-grade rough diamonds worth no less than three billion US dollars over the next three years.

Martin’s eyes instantly widened like bronze bells.

Anglo Far East! That was an industry behemoth that even the Vanderberg Family had to look up to!

He dreamed of securing a stable supply channel from that company, yet he couldn't even get a meeting with their Asian regional president.

And now, this giant had become Shen Yan's partner?

"As for brand competition..." Shen Yan retracted his phone and said lightly.

"The rules of the old world were set by them."

"But in the new world, I set the rules."

"When consumers discover that for the same amount of money, they can buy a diamond at 'Nirvana' that has a clean background, a moving story, and completely transparent value, why would they still pay for those false brand premiums?"

"This is my confidence."