National Jeweler Network - Diamond News

Pitch to diamond consumer may get rewrite

Victoria Gomelsky — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EDT

With cash and credit issues continuing to plague the global diamond trade, when an economic recovery happens, retail jewelers will find an entirely new type of diamond consumer and an altered industry.

De Beers adds Botswana sightholder

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Gaborone, Botswana--In a decision De Beers is terming "exceptional," the diamond giant has opted to add a sightholder in the middle of the contract period.

Kim Kardashian keeping up with diamonds in Africa

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EDT

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Reggie Bush are getting a first-hand look at the diamond industry in Africa, traveling to the continent as representatives of Russell Simmons' Diamond Empowerment Fund.

IDI helping companies utilize Web power

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EDT

Ramat Gan, Israel--As part of its ongoing efforts to boost the Israeli diamond industry, the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) is helping companies utilize the Internet to its full advantage.

IGI expands Ramat Gan lab

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Ramat Gan, Israel--Due to an increased demand for services, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) has expanded its full-service gemological laboratory in diamond trade center Ramat Gan.

De Beers may restart operations at Orapa No. 2

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:00:00 EDT

Due to a "slight" improvement in trading conditions in the second quarter, De Beers is considering restarting an operation it originally had closed for the year, a company spokeswoman confirmed to National Jeweler.

Vybornov forced out of Alrosa top seat

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:45:00 EDT

Sergey Vybornov was fired by the chairman of Alrosa's supervisory board, the Alrosa president told the Russian daily Kommersant. He will likely be replaced by Fyodor Andreyev, senior vice president of Russian Railways and a recent appointee to the Alrosa board.

GIA taking extra steps to explain fluorescence

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EDT

Carlsbad, Calif.--In an effort to educate the public about ultraviolet fluorescence in diamonds, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will include extra information about the phenomenon in every grading report that carries a diamond-fluorescence description of medium or stronger.

NYC's Diamond District sparkles in new musical

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Eatontown, N.J.--"Diamonds at 22 West," a musical comedy set in New York City's famed Diamond District, will take center stage next month at a New Jersey playhouse.

Report: Human rights at stake in Zimbabwe's diamond fields

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EDT

The armed forces of the African nation of Zimbabwe are forcing children and adults into labor and are torturing and beating local villagers on the diamond fields of the country's Marange district, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Recession brings glut of diamonds, but few buyers

Victoria Gomelsky — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:15:00 EDT

From the mines to the retail trenches, the scarcity that has defined the diamond business and fueled its tremendous growth has, since last fall, morphed into an unfamiliar abundance: so many goods, so few willing buyers.

Paz re-elected IDE president

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EDT

Ramat Gan, Israel--The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) held biennial elections on Thursday, casting votes for president, its board and committee, according to a press release.

Online diamond company, polo team join forces

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EDT

Los Angeles--DeJoria Diamonds, an online jeweler owned by hair-care magnate John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of John Paul Mitchell, is striking up a unique partnership.

Court approves $8M settlement in Fabrikant case

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:00:00 EDT

New York--A federal judge has approved the proposed settlement in the lawsuit filed against the former owners of bankrupt diamond company M. Fabrikant and Sons, putting to rest the year-long, and sometimes wild, legal battle over the family's assets.

Human rights groups say Kimberley Process failing

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EDT

Windhoek, Namibia--Just ahead of a key meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in Namibia, a coalition of organizations has released a laundry list of criticisms about the process.

De Beers' Penny: Early signs of recovery

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EDT

Ramat Gan, Israel--The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) teamed up with De Beers for Israel's first-ever "Diamond Town Hall Meeting," an open discussion inviting members of the Israeli diamond industry to ask questions and exchange views with the management of the rough-diamond giant.

Namibian mines to restart production in July

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:13:00 EDT

Windhoek, Namibia--Trucks are scheduled to start rolling again soon at the mines operated by Namdeb, the joint venture between De Beers and the government of the African nation of Namibia.

Debswana scraps plans for outside sales

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:43:00 EDT

Gaborone, Botswana--Debswana, the 50-50 partnership between the government of Botswana and De Beers, has abandoned a plan to sell rough to companies that are not Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) sightholders, according to local news sources.

Man charged with faking $500,000 diamond robbery

Michelle Graff — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EDT

Stuart, Fla.--A 30-year-old diamond salesman is being held in a Florida jail after police say he lied about being robbed of $500,000 worth of diamonds.

International Diamond Council publishes updated rules

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EDT

Antwerp, Belgium--The International Diamond Council (IDC) announced earlier this month that is has released an updated version of its "IDC Rules for Grading Diamonds."