Diamond News Archives

(IDEX Online) – CIBJO's new Responsible Sourcing Blue Book highlighted a well-attended seminar at the Vicenzaoro January jewelry trade show in Vicenza, Italy, on January 19, which also featured the precious coral sector as a case study for sustainability.<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

The seminar comprised the opening session of the 21st Symposium of the Federation for European Education in Gemmology (FEEG), which was hosted by the Italian Gemmological Institute. FEEG President Guy Lalous welcomed the delegates, as did Marco Carniello, Director of the Jewellery & Fashion Division of the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the organizer of the Vicenzaoro shows.

In his introduction, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri, who moderated the opening seminar, said that that consumer confidence, without which "the entire premise on which our business is built would be meaningless," requires more than just the integrity of the product to be maintained.

"Today, and for about 20 years already, it has become increasingly apparent that the ways in which we, the members of the jewelry industry, behave and impact society and the environment are also fundamental components of consumer confidence. We do not operate in a moral vacuum, where the value of the products we handle are no way connected to the businesses we run. That may have been the case in the distant past, but it is no longer true - certainly not in the age of the Internet and the social media, where a photograph, video or tweet can go viral in a matter of hours," he stated.

Philip Olden, the President of CIBJO's Responsible Sourcing Commission, provided an overview of the new Responsible Sourcing Blue Book, which...

Following the reopening of its offices in New York last year and the announcement of growing sales in the US, Alrosa (MCX:ALRS) decided to recruit an experienced female executive to lead operations in American territory.

Rebecca Foerster, former Vice President of Strategic Planning and Marketing at Leo Schachter Diamonds, was appointed President Alrosa USA Inc.

Besides her previous position, which she held for four years, Foerster was Vice President at the US Representative office of Rio Tinto (ASX, LON:RIO). She has also performed leadership roles at Frederick Goldman Inc., Revlon, Unilever, and Benckiser.

"The United States is the world's largest market for diamond jewelry consumption. For this reason, special requirements are placed on the person who will represent ALROSA's interests there. Ms. Foerster has a wealth of experience in companies that represent almost all parts of the diamond pipeline, from diamond mining to diamond jewelry sales. She knows the specifics of the diamond business and is well aware of American market needs," Yury Okoemov, Deputy CEO of Alrosa, said in a media statement.

The world’s No.1 diamond producer by output cited “organizational reasons” for the closure of its offices in the Big Apple in 2016. However, the 2018 reopening is said to have been so successful that from two rough diamond auctions held there last year, the firm will increase its competitive sales events to four in 2019. The miner also plans to offer polished diamonds to the US.

The post Alrosa names female exec to lead US business appeared first on MINING.com....

(IDEX Online) – ALROSA raised total revenue of $463 million last year at the 32 international auctions it held for special size (over 10.8 carats) rough diamonds.<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

The company traditionally holds auctions in six countries: Russia, Belgium, Israel, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The largest number of auctions in 2018 was held in Moscow, with 11, while another four were held in Vladivostok.

For the first time in many years, the company held two auctions at its sales office in New York, which resumed operations last year. Another six auctions took place in Ramat Gan (Israel), three in Hong Kong (China), four in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and two in Antwerp (Belgium).

ALROSA plans to hold 37 international auctions this year, increasing the number of auctions in Antwerp, New York and Dubai. There will again be 11 auctions in Moscow and four in Vladivostok. According to the approved schedule, another 18 auctions will be held in the world's largest diamond trading centers: four in Antwerp, five in Dubai, six in Ramat Gan, three in Hong Kong, and four in New York.

"International auctions are an integral part of our trading activity, since large rough diamonds in accordance with Russian law should be sold only in this way," said Evgeny Agureev, Member of the Management Board, Director of the United Sales Organization at ALROSA.

"Large diamonds are usually in good demand in the market, so each of our auctions collect up to 100 participants. In general, we are pleased with the results of 2018, and we found opportunity to increase...

(IDEX Online) – The winter edition of the Vicenzaoro show opened on Friday, with the overarching theme being 'sustainable creativity'.<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

Ugo Ravanelli, the Managing Director of the organizer, the Italian Exhibition Group, said that sustainable creativity is no longer a trend but the direction in which the whole sector is heading. “At Vicenzaoro, we will be dealing with the theme in all its aspects and throughout the production chain, in line with the aim of our show which is one-of-a-kind in Europe in regards to jewelry."

“Ivana Ciabatti, President of Italian industry body, Confindustria Federorafi, said the main challenges that the jewelry sector in the country needs to face included promoting the communication of Italy's jewelry identity, and systematizing and strengthening training and digital activities.

The 'sustainable creativity' theme was introduced and developed during an inaugural panel talk.

A Nielsen study entitled “The sustainability Imperative”, shows that brands that demonstrated a commitment towards sustainability grew by more than 4%, while those that did not, grew by less than 1%, the organizers said.

Furthermore, 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for products made by companies that demonstrate social and environmental commitment, in particular, 51% of consumers between the age of 50 and 64.

The organizers of the January 18-23 show said the theme of 'sustainable creativity' was selected since sustainability is becoming more topical and because the IEG has signed an agreement with UN Global Compact to strengthen its corporate social responsibility efforts. "The guiding principle of the show that kicks off the global jewelry year, is upholding its commitment to...