IndependentsOct 19, 2021
Jewelers Riding Out the StormsSourcingApr 26, 2022
De Beers Sinks $2M Into Startup That Grows Kelp Forests
It’s an environmental investment that De Beers hopes will help it reach its goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.
De Beers is investing in environmental startup Kelp Blue, which wants to grow and maintain forests of giant kelp off the coast of Namibia to capture carbon and help sustain the marine ecosystem. (Photo credit: Kelp Blue)
London—On Earth Day, De Beers Group announced it was investing $2 million in a company looking to grow giant kelp off the coast of one of the African countries where it operates.
Kelp Blue is a startup with offices in Amsterdam and Namibia that is focused on growing and maintaining large-scale forests of giant kelp.
The largest of all algae, giant kelp can grow to be 150 feet long. Underwater forests of them can lock away vast amount of CO2 in the ocean while also helping to sustain healthy marine ecosystems by providing food and shelter for countless species.
Kelp Blue was awarded a license to cultivate giant kelp off the coast of Namibia in 2021 and its program is currently in its pilot phase.
The business will contribute to infrastructure development and create employment and upskilling opportunities in kelp cultivation and processing in and around Lüdertiz, a coastal town in southwestern Namibia, De Beers said.
During the pilot phase, Kelp Blue is expected to generate direct and indirect jobs in biotechnology, engineering, processing, support services and logistics.
De Beers’ investment in Kelp Blue is line with its sustainability goals under its “Building Forever” initiative, as it supports a nature-based solution for capturing carbon and enhancing biodiversity. It also addresses another priority under Building Forever—bringing sustainable development to the countries where it mines.
In addition, the investment could help De Beers reach its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 by giving it access to potential carbon credits generated by Kelp Blue.
Carbon credits are purchased by companies to make up for greenhouse gas emissions, either on the open market or via investments in projects that involve the reduction, destruction or capture of CO2 emissions.
De Beers said its “primary focus” in becoming carbon neutral will be on increasing efficiency and replacing fossil fuel and fossil-based energy in its operations with “renewable alternatives.”
But that won’t be enough to become carbon neutral, so it will have to rely on carbon credits to make up the difference and would like to do so via investment in projects like Kelp Blue.
Executive Vice President of Strategy and Innovation Neil Ventura explained: “Instead of simply purchasing carbon credits on the market, we are looking to identify potential long-term, sustainable and innovative nature-based solutions for this, particularly those that can deliver additional carbon capture benefit beyond our business.
“While there is still work to be done to understand more about the scale of opportunity, Kelp Blue is an innovative startup with significant potential.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
