Policies & IssuesMay 11, 2023
Ethical Metalsmiths Appoints New PresidentPolicies & IssuesMay 17, 2023
Feriel Zerouki Becomes First Woman to Lead WDC
Zerouki took over as World Diamond Council president Monday, with Ronnie VanderLinden elected vice president.
De Beers Group executive Feriel Zerouki became president of the World Diamond Council on Monday and is slated to lead the organization in attending the Kimberley Process intersessional meeting in Zimbabwe next week.
New York—On Monday, Feriel Zerouki officially succeeded Edward Asscher as president of the World Diamond Council.
She is the first woman to hold the position.
Born in the United Arab Emirates and of Algerian descent, Zerouki started her career in the diamond industry in 2005, working as a supply chain analyst at De Beers’ Diamond Trading Co. (DTC).
In 2009, the company appointed her Best Practice Principles manager, overseeing ethical standards for De Beers, its sightholders and contractors.
Zerouki became head of international relations in 2014, helping to initiate Tracr, De Beers’ blockchain platform, and GemFair, the program that supports artisanal and small-scale miners and mining operations.
She is now De Beers’ senior vice president of corporate affairs and serves on the board of directors for the Responsible Jewellery Council and, most recently, joined the board of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
She holds degrees in mathematics and business management from Queen Mary University of London and is fluent in French, English and Arabic.
Zerouki was elected WDC vice president in 2020 and was set to become president in 2022 but the WDC’s directors opted to extend her term, and the terms of the other elected leaders, for another year due in part to the disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic caused.
Also on Monday, the WDC elected Ronnie VanderLinden vice president while Anoop Mehta was elected treasurer and Udi Sheintal was reappointed WDC secretary.
Per WDC bylaws, VanderLinden will take over as WDC president after Zerouki completes her two-year term.
Related stories will be right here …
She is the first woman to hold the position.
Born in the United Arab Emirates and of Algerian descent, Zerouki started her career in the diamond industry in 2005, working as a supply chain analyst at De Beers’ Diamond Trading Co. (DTC).
In 2009, the company appointed her Best Practice Principles manager, overseeing ethical standards for De Beers, its sightholders and contractors.
Zerouki became head of international relations in 2014, helping to initiate Tracr, De Beers’ blockchain platform, and GemFair, the program that supports artisanal and small-scale miners and mining operations.
She is now De Beers’ senior vice president of corporate affairs and serves on the board of directors for the Responsible Jewellery Council and, most recently, joined the board of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
She holds degrees in mathematics and business management from Queen Mary University of London and is fluent in French, English and Arabic.
Zerouki was elected WDC vice president in 2020 and was set to become president in 2022 but the WDC’s directors opted to extend her term, and the terms of the other elected leaders, for another year due in part to the disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic caused.
Also on Monday, the WDC elected Ronnie VanderLinden vice president while Anoop Mehta was elected treasurer and Udi Sheintal was reappointed WDC secretary.
Per WDC bylaws, VanderLinden will take over as WDC president after Zerouki completes her two-year term.
The WDC serves as the representative of the diamond industry in the Kimberley Process (KP).
Next week, Zerouki will lead the WDC’s delegation in attending the five-day KP intersessional meeting at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. (Zimbabwe is the KP chair nation this year and thereby hosts both the intersessional and plenary meetings.)
The meeting is slated to begin Sunday.
Zerouki said as WDC president, she is committed to following in Asscher’s footsteps by acting with honesty and decency while also protecting the integrity of diamonds.
“I am committed to upholding these principles and in particular Edward’s consistent call not to leave anyone behind, which will remain a foundational principle of the WDC,” she said.
During his time heading the WDC, Asscher, the retired former president of the Royal Asscher Diamond Company, was consistent in his calls for the KP to expand the definition of what constitutes a “conflict” diamond, an issue that’s been a debate among members of the KP for more than a decade.
This year, the KP will enter a Review and Reform cycle, which Zerouki said is of “critical importance” as members of the KP must address what the process needs to do to adapt to a “much-changed and fast-evolved landscape.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
CrimeMay 04, 2026
Pawn Shop Manager Shot, Killed in FloridaLazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower PreservationA portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
CollectionsMay 01, 2026
A ‘Hidden Garden’ Emerges in Tiffany & Co.’s 2026 Blue BookOur Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
