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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
Paul Zimnisky: China key for sustained recovery in demand for natural diamonds, prices
The curtailing of upstream and midstream natural diamond production in the past months is starting to have an effect on prices, according to the New-York-based independent diamond and jewellery analyst and consultant, Paul Zimnisky. He told Rough & Polished’s...
23 september 2024
South Africans demand the return of diamond from Queen’s sceptre
CNN reports that more than 6,000 people had signed a petition asking for the return of the diamond.
The Cullinan diamond was discovered in South Africa’s old Transvaal province in 1905 and was allegedly given to King Edward VII as a gift two years later.
“The Cullinan Diamond must be returned to South Africa with immediate effect,” activist Thanduxolo Sabelo was quoted as saying by local media.
“The minerals of our country and other countries continue to benefit Britain at the expense of our people.”
A member of Parliament for South Africa's opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) demanded last year that South Africa be given its diamond back.
The politician Mbusiyseni Ndlozi said at the time that the diamond should be brought back to South Africa without compensation.
Queen Elizabeth II had the Cullinan I diamond (or Star of Africa), which is a 530.2 carat pear-shaped stone and is set as the main stone in the majestic Sceptre with the Cross.
It is allegedly worth $400 million.
Petra Diamonds currently owns the Cullinan mine.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished