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

G7 Ban on Russian Diamond Imports from January - Statement by GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah

07 december 2023

The recent statement from G7 leaders, informing of a decision to impose direct import restrictions on Russian-origin diamonds effective January 1, 2024, and on diamonds processed by third countries from March 1, 2024, while not surprising, raises valid concerns for the Indian Gems and Jewellery trade.

We had engaged with the G7 to discuss such sanctions and their implementation. We have reservations on the timelines announced for the implementation of restrictions. Recognizing the diversity of our industry, we believe there should be more flexibility in these timelines.

While respecting the G7's decision, we would like more details on how such decisions will be implemented. We have questions about what is meant by a major rough diamond importer in the G7 and the powers it will have in determining the compliance of Indian diamond exports to the G7.

We are happy to note that the G7 will remain engaged with us as diamond manufacturers. GJEPC will strongly advocate that when regulating the sanctions the interests of SMEs and marginal diamond units should be kept in mind, recognizing their active contribution to this industry and the millions of livelihoods which are dependent on it. We will also be discussing with WDC and aligning all stakeholders to ensure that their businesses are not disrupted.

We are also making representations to the Indian Government, and we are confident that our leadership will ensure that the interests of the Indian trade are not compromised in any way.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished