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

Vladimir Pilyushin: The jewelry market is not stand-alone and moves by the same laws as other markets

Vladimir Pilyushin is editor-in-chief of Russian Jeweler, a leading magazine about the jewelry industry in Russia. He told Rough&Polished about his view on the evolution of the jewelry industry in Russia and touched upon some of its problems.

16 september 2024

A branch of Indian VDA Diamonds to open officially in Armenia in autumn

30 june 2023

The official opening of the diamond cutting plant, owned by the Indian diamond company VDA Diamonds, will take place this autumn in the city of Abovyan, news.am reports.

"The Indian company VDA Diamonds has been registered in Armenia since July 2022, and since the beginning of April this year it has already started the production process in Abovyan. It is a branch of an Indian company in Armenia. The company invested $10 million in a branch in Abovyan," said Arevik Margaryan, Head of the Department of Strategic Sectors of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia.

According to her, 7-8 companies operate in the diamond industry of Armenia, including the diamond processing company ADM Diamonds and CJSC Hay-Almast, which imports rough diamonds from the Russian company ALROSA.

Diamonds are exported from Armenia mainly to the CIS countries, the EAEU and some other countries.

"Tiffany's, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Hermes and other well-known brands buy diamonds cut in Armenia. Arevakn and Shoghakn companies operate in the sector, from which Tiffany and other leading international companies officially purchase diamonds. They provide this quality," Margaryan said.

Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished