Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
What will become of the KP?
When Brad Brooks-Rubin, the special advisor on conflict diamonds to the U.S. State Department, spoke about how the United States would remain vigilant on monitoring conflict diamonds even if the Kimberley Process (KP) fell apart, I thought he was speaking...
When Brad Brooks-Rubin, the special advisor on conflict diamonds to the U.S. State Department, spoke about how the United States would remain vigilant on monitoring conflict diamonds even if the Kimberley Process (KP) fell apart, I thought he was speaking theoretically.
Looking back on that panel discussion now, I am beginning to think he was speaking prophetically.
Just a couple of weeks removed from the discussion, which was held during the Las Vegas shows, the industry finds itself in a very familiar place. Yet another scheduled KP meeting has ended without being able to come to a consensus on the issue of rough exports from the Marange region of Zimbabwe.
According to sources close to the negotiations, the United States, Canada, Australia, Israel and the Europe Union lined up on one side of the debate. They wouldn’t agree to the Marange deal unless it included some kind of mechanism for supervising exports from an area once (and still perhaps) riddled with human rights abuses and rampant diamond smuggling.
“This was the major stumbling block,” the source said.
On the other side of the debate, Zimbabwe, backed by nations including South Africa, equates constant monitoring of rough exports from Marange with colonialism and wants no part of it. (Interestingly, Russia, along with China and India--two countries consistently mentioned as having a keen interest in the Marange goods--reportedly did not take sides at the intersessional.)
And that’s how the deal ends, at 2 p.m. in the afternoon on Thursday afternoon. Officials from the DRC, which hosted the intersessional as current chair of the KP, came in and said time was up, the meeting was over.
No resolution was reached, again. So where does this leave the industry? It’s not an easy question to answer.
Both Jewelers of America and the World Diamond Council (WDC) have said publicly that goods from Marange shouldn’t be traded as the KP officially remains at an impasse. WDC President Eli Izhakoff stressed in a statement that the meeting didn’t end with “any parties slamming the door on the KP.” Efforts are ongoing (and seemingly never-ending at this point) to arrive at a consensus.
In the meantime, certain parties in the industry seem to be busy making other plans, regardless of whether the KP makes it or not.
Rewinding to the KP panel discussion held in Las Vegas, Brooks-Rubin mentioned the possibility that in the United States, the Dodd-Frank
He also said that “if the KP falls apart” the U.S. government would remain vigilant about conflict diamonds. “Congress won’t simply repeal the Clean Diamond Trade Act and say, ‘That was a nice experiment. Let’s go back to the way things were,’” he said.
The Latest
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
The 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
NDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
B&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
It’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
Emily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
Its updated book for mountings is also now available.
She has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
Joyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.