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

WFDB commends French Government on lab-grown term ban

12 february 2024

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) commended the French Ministry of Economy and Finance for its decision to ban the use of all terminology other than synthetic for non-natural diamonds. The decision means that the use of the term lab-grown or cultivated diamonds will not be legal in France.

Yoram Dvash, President of the WFDB, said: "We praise the decision of the French government to insist that all stones other than natural diamonds be called “synthetic.” This is an important step in confirming the inherent value of natural diamonds and in enhancing consumer confidence.”

The WFDB, the umbrella organization of 27 major diamond bourses worldwide, has acted to support the growth of the natural diamond industry. They have commended De Beers on their marketing campaign for natural diamonds before the 2023 Christmas holiday. The WFDB has also partnered with the Natural Diamond Council to support the growth of the natural diamond industry. In addition to making an initial financial investment, the WFDB is working together with the NDC to identify ways in which the values of natural diamonds can reach more consumers more frequently, through the direct reach of the WFDB, its member bourses, and their individual members.

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