Exclusive
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
WDC advocates for responsible diamond sourcing
Council executive director Marie-Chantal Kaninda, who addressed the U.S. State Department officials and civil society members last Thursday, said areas that needed change included the scope of conflict diamonds, KP’s minimum standards, and long term implementation of the diamond watchdog directives through a permanent secretariat.
She also asked the U.S. State Department officials to support the changes by exercising their voting rights as KP members.
Kaninda said there was need for diamond consumers to continue to insist on ethically sourced products.
Meanwhile, WDC acting president Stephane Fischler said Kaninda’s presentation was an important opportunity for the council to continue spreading the diamond industry message of accountability, action and meaningful outcomes.
“We must all come together with one common purpose and fulfill the duty of care owed to diamond producing communities to protect their right to a secure, healthy and prosperous livelihood,” he said.
“We also hold our responsibility to consumers in the highest regard, those who buy our products with an expectation that the diamonds are ethically and responsibly sourced.”
The WDC presentation was part of a series hosted by the U.S. State Department Office of Threat Finance Countermeasures, which advances policies that seek to minimise the funding available to groups that pose a threat to domestic, international and regional security.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished