Ellah Muchemwa: ADPA to launch Africa's first diamond mining standard next year

The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), which is based in Luanda, Angola, and represents the interests of mainly African diamond producers and those with the potential to produce diamonds, will next year launch the Sustainable Development...

04 november 2024

Dmitry Fedorov: I want our jewelry to be displayed at a museum in the future

Dmitry Fedorov is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house. His main focus is the creation of Orthodox-inspired premium luxury jewelry of high artistic merit. He told Rough&Polished about his journey in the jewelry industry, about choosing the ‘Orthodox...

28 october 2024

Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki

The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...

14 october 2024

James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration

London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...

07 october 2024

Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products

Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...

30 september 2024

Angola’s Sodiam divests stake in gem firm linked to Dos Santos family

07 december 2017
An Angolan state-owned diamond company Sodiam, which markets the country’s diamonds, has reportedly pulled out of an investment in Geneva-based jewellery maker De Grisogono controlled by Sindika Dokolo, the husband of Isabel dos Santos, the eldest daughter of former Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.
Bloomberg quoted Sodiam as saying in a statement that it was cancelling its ties with De Grisogono for “reasons of public interest and legality”.
It, however, could not explain how the transaction would be completed.
The country’s new leader Joao Lourenco was said to be distancing Angola from the influence of Dos Santos and his family.
He recently fired Isabel from her position as chairman of state-owned oil company Sonangol, and last week announced plans to auction a new telecoms license to compete with Unitel SA, which she controls.

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished