It started out as an informal meeting of diamantaires attending the 37th World Diamond Congress in Dubai last May, but quickly took off. The World Federation of Diamond Bourses' (WFDB) Young Diamantaires group held its inaugural meeting in Hong Kong during the Gems and Jewellery Fair in September, and is now planning ambitious new steps. WFDB President Ernie Blom explains the reasoning behind the establishment of the new group and its importance for the future of the diamond trade.
How did the idea of the Young Diamantaires come about?
This is something that we have been talking about at the WFDB for quite some time. In particular, our Promotion Committee Chairman, Rami Baron, has been keen to see this type of initiative get off the ground. He felt the time was right and met with a group of members attending the World Diamond Congress in Dubai from both the WFDB and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association.
There was clearly enormous enthusiasm. After that, it grew organically with founding members creating social media groups in order to enable quick and easy communication. With the Hong Kong Gems and Jewellery Fair, which attracts people from all over the world, being the first major trade show since May, it seemed like the right time and place to stage the inaugural meeting.
How is it that the grouping was never established in the past since it is clearly needed?
As with all good ideas, that question always gets asked! I know the idea has come up many times over the years, but it obviously needed a catalyst to spark it into life. Rami Baron has brought great enthusiasm to creating this group, and that is one of the primary reasons that it has taken off.
How was the atmosphere at the inaugural meeting in Hong Kong?
It was absolutely wonderful. There was huge interest and a real desire to formally establish the group. Being in Hong Kong also sparked the event into life as there is electricity in the air. There was a real determination to see this initiative grow further. This is an idea whose time has definitely come.
I would also like to thank Lawrence Ma, the president of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong who played a key role in ensuring that this event took place.
What was your impression of the desire and enthusiasm of the members who attended the meeting?
I am, by nature, an optimistic person, but I must say that attending the meeting really gave me a great buzz. It's been a while since I have seen such passion and determination. And the fact that the people attending were the younger generation was also very encouraging. The attendees were members of diamond firms, bourses and organisations from the main diamond centres, including Israel, India, Belgium, the United States, South Africa, Australia and Canada. It would be fair to say they were from all over the world.
What are the aims of the new group and how will they take them forward?
Firstly, members are keen to communicate and share their ideas on a wide range of issues. They are also keen technology fans, so using social media to create instant communication comes easily.
There is also a very strong element of sharing information. Of course, we all have competitors and we are keen businesspeople, but there is a real element of helping each other to achieve success.
There is a real passion for diamonds and diamond jewellery, and for taking up the reins to ensure that it remains a transparent and vital industry providing items of great beauty to consumers in which they can have confidence.
This is an exciting project because we see the younger generation bringing ideas and proposals about how the industry should change and adapt. They are also keen to share their ideas and cooperate for the greater good of the whole industry so that everyone benefits, and that fills me with enormous optimism.
By our Israel correspondent Abraham Dayan
