The world's top diamond producer De Beers announced an "exceptional year” in 2011 in a results statement on Friday.

Profits were up 72 percent on surging consumer demand, while total sales rose 26 percent, even though production slipped down five percent from 2010.

"Our total sales for 2011, our second highest since privatisation, were boosted by exceptional rough diamond price growth fuelled by almost unprecedented consumer demand during the first half of the year," De Beers chairman Nicky Oppenheimer said.

De Beers' new CEO Philippe Mellier said consumer demand was up by 11-13 percent, fed by increased consumer demand for jewellery in China, India and the US.

Rough diamond prices were up 29 percent.

"In spite of uncertainty, and barring a global economic shock, we expect to see continued growth in global diamond jewellery sales, albeit at lower levels than the exceptional growth seen in 2011," Mellier said.

"This will be driven by the overall strength of the luxury goods market, improving sentiment in the US, continuing growth in China, and the positive impact of the 2011 polished price growth on retail jewellery prices."

De Beers produces and sells about 35 percent of world's rough diamonds from its mines in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Canada.

The company is run from London and Johannesburg, but is officially headquartered in Luxemburg.

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