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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...

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

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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...

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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...

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WDC advocates for responsible diamond sourcing

01 june 2018
The World Diamond Council (WDC) said there is need for change and improvement in the manner in which the Kimberley Process (KP) operates so the organisation can continue making a positive difference in 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