ColumnistsApr 23, 2024
The Smart Lab: Advanced Email Marketing Strategies for Mother’s DayEmmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
EditorsOct 31, 2014
The latest diamond industry row
I am not proud to admit it now, but I was the kind of little girl who wanted to quit games in the middle if it looked like I wasn’t going to win, a trait for which my mom, like any good mother should, always admonished me.
I remember at one point we got a Garfield novelty glass from McDonald’s that pictured the cartoon cat furiously paddling at the front of the canoe in one direction while the dog Odie paddled with just as much vigor at the other end but in the opposite direction. Above Garfield a thought bubble hovered that read, “I’m easy to get along with when things go my way,” but, in the end, the two weren’t getting anywhere. This, my mom declared, was the perfect glass to describe me.
Fast-forward a couple of decades, and I am adult, confronted with a group of adults who refuse to participate in an important event because things aren’t going their way, the latest in a continuing series of slights and fights that aren’t getting the diamond industry anywhere, just like the cat and the dog in that canoe.
As I am sure you have heard by now, a group of eight industry organizations announced this week that they wouldn’t be attending the World Diamond Council’s annual meeting, which took place this week in Antwerp.
By way of explanation, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses circulated this news release that was scant on details about why exactly the eight groups were skipping the meeting. So I reached out to a number of the groups, asking them for more details and interviews with their respective heads.
I asked: What was it that prompted you to boycott the meeting? What is the leadership of the WDC, which just named Pat Syvrud as the first executive director in its history, doing that you disagree with specifically?
What I got in return to my questions at first was a lot of runaround--people were traveling (though apparently not to Antwerp), I needed to ask this person instead of this person, why don’t you ask this organization why they said that, etc.
The only organization initially to give me any kind of answer was the WFDB itself, which said in response to my inquiry that “the following issues are being clarified.”
Among the clarifications was this: “The industry Bodies await in anticipation the outcome of the WDC AGM [annual general meeting] and the future direction the organization is
planning for itself. Once the AGM report has been studied, a formal press release will be issued by the industry bodies regarding its future relationship with the WDC.”
On Friday morning, however, I came in to a more explanatory email, relatively speaking, from India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council and the Bharat Diamond Bourse, two of the eight organizations that boycotted the WDC meeting.
The GJEPC and BDB said suggestions to broaden the “scope and focus” of the WDC’s activity beyond conflict diamonds led to the organizations’ decision to skip the meeting. They also apparently are perturbed because the WDC sent out a survey to its members in which “questions were asked that exceeded the mandate of the WDC” and did not send it out to the industry at large, meaning these organizations didn’t get to weigh in.
While WDC sources told my fellow trade journalist Rob Bates--who noted in this excellent blog posted Wednesday that this latest boycott is yet another embarrassment to the industry--that it isn’t true that the WDC is looking to expand its activities beyond conflict diamonds, I am sure the eight organizations that boycotted the meeting have their reasons for believing it to be.
My question, however, is this: why the boycott? Was that really necessary? If you have concerns about the direction the organization is taking, doesn’t it seem more effective to go to the meeting and express them, rather than skip it and circulate a vague news release that does nothing but engender resentment and negativity?
The GJEPC said in its email to me that it is “expected that open and interactive discussions will resolve the issue in near future.”
Couldn’t that have taken place at the meeting that just happened this week so the industry can move on and address other issues?
I just don’t agree with the decision by these “important sections of the industry” to boycott a meeting of an organization that’s so important. It’s no more acceptable than it was for me to quit mid-game as a child because things weren’t going the way I wanted.
On Friday morning, however, I came in to a more explanatory email, relatively speaking, from India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council and the Bharat Diamond Bourse, two of the eight organizations that boycotted the WDC meeting.
The GJEPC and BDB said suggestions to broaden the “scope and focus” of the WDC’s activity beyond conflict diamonds led to the organizations’ decision to skip the meeting. They also apparently are perturbed because the WDC sent out a survey to its members in which “questions were asked that exceeded the mandate of the WDC” and did not send it out to the industry at large, meaning these organizations didn’t get to weigh in.
While WDC sources told my fellow trade journalist Rob Bates--who noted in this excellent blog posted Wednesday that this latest boycott is yet another embarrassment to the industry--that it isn’t true that the WDC is looking to expand its activities beyond conflict diamonds, I am sure the eight organizations that boycotted the meeting have their reasons for believing it to be.
My question, however, is this: why the boycott? Was that really necessary? If you have concerns about the direction the organization is taking, doesn’t it seem more effective to go to the meeting and express them, rather than skip it and circulate a vague news release that does nothing but engender resentment and negativity?
The GJEPC said in its email to me that it is “expected that open and interactive discussions will resolve the issue in near future.”
Couldn’t that have taken place at the meeting that just happened this week so the industry can move on and address other issues?
I just don’t agree with the decision by these “important sections of the industry” to boycott a meeting of an organization that’s so important. It’s no more acceptable than it was for me to quit mid-game as a child because things weren’t going the way I wanted.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsApr 23, 2024
Hannoush Jewelers Opens New Store in New York Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Lucapa Sells 3 Diamonds for $10.5M in First Lulo Tender of 2024A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Weekly QuizApr 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
GradingApr 23, 2024
GIA Has a New Book About William RuserRuser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
CollectionsApr 22, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Stars Adam Levine, Behati PrinslooThe “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
SourcingApr 22, 2024
Virtual Diamond Boutique Rebrands as ‘VDB’The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
MajorsApr 22, 2024
Signet Raises Nearly $9M for St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalThe money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormFrom now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Supplier BulletinApr 18, 2024
Discover History’s Hidden Gems at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly YochThe Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
TAG Heuer Opens Its Largest Standalone Boutique at SeaThe 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2024
NDC Prevails in U.K. Case Over Lab-Grown Diamond AdvertisingNDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
Events & AwardsApr 17, 2024
And the 2024 Winner of the Shipley Award Is … John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
FinancialsApr 17, 2024
LVMH’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Fall 5%LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
MajorsApr 17, 2024
Stuller’s B&D Opens New HeadquartersB&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
CollectionsApr 16, 2024
Akaila Reid Launches ‘Eat Cake’ CollectionIt’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Loudr Adds 2 DirectorsEmily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Stuller Releases First Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CatalogIts updated book for mountings is also now available.
SourcingApr 16, 2024
Karen Rentmeesters Takes Over as Interim CEO of AWDCShe has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
TechnologyApr 15, 2024
Judge Rules Jeweler’s Lawsuit Against PNC Bank Can Move ForwardJoyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.
