SourcingAug 14, 2023
De Beers Mines First Diamonds From Venetia Underground SourcingAug 15, 2023
Lucara CEO Eira Thomas Replaced by William Lamb
The move comes after news surfaced that the Karowe mine’s underground expansion will take longer and cost more than expected.
Eira Thomas, pictured in a 2018 file photo, is out as president and CEO of mining company Lucara Diamond Corp. and replaced by former Lucara CEO William Lamb, who led the company from 2011-2018.
Vancouver, British Columbia—The board of Lucara Diamond Corp. announced it is appointing William Lamb president and CEO, replacing the diamond mining company’s co-founder, Eira Thomas.
Thomas started Lucara in 2007 with Swedish-Canadian billionaire Lukas Lundin and friend and mining executive Catherine McLeod-Seltzer after contributing to the discovery of the pipes that became the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada.
One of the few women chief executives in the largely male-dominated world of mining, Thomas had headed Lucara as president and CEO since 2018.
In a statement released late Monday, Lucara said Thomas has been “integral” to the success of the development and success of the company’s key—and only active—asset, the Karowe mine in Botswana.
It said: “The board would like to acknowledge the special contributions Eira has made over her many years of involvement with Lucara in her capacity as a director, and specifically over the last five years as CEO,” noting her spearheading of the company’s innovative sales agreement with manufacturer HB Antwerp and leading the commercialization of its digital sales platform, Clara.
“More recently under Ms. Thomas’ leadership, the Karowe Mine achieved peak operational performance and she and her team arranged for a senior secured project financing debt package of $220 million enabling the underground expansion to advance.”
While Thomas was integral to securing funding to take Karowe underground, the company recently announced the underground project will take longer and cost more than originally estimated.
Related stories will be right here …
Thomas started Lucara in 2007 with Swedish-Canadian billionaire Lukas Lundin and friend and mining executive Catherine McLeod-Seltzer after contributing to the discovery of the pipes that became the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada.
One of the few women chief executives in the largely male-dominated world of mining, Thomas had headed Lucara as president and CEO since 2018.
In a statement released late Monday, Lucara said Thomas has been “integral” to the success of the development and success of the company’s key—and only active—asset, the Karowe mine in Botswana.
It said: “The board would like to acknowledge the special contributions Eira has made over her many years of involvement with Lucara in her capacity as a director, and specifically over the last five years as CEO,” noting her spearheading of the company’s innovative sales agreement with manufacturer HB Antwerp and leading the commercialization of its digital sales platform, Clara.
“More recently under Ms. Thomas’ leadership, the Karowe Mine achieved peak operational performance and she and her team arranged for a senior secured project financing debt package of $220 million enabling the underground expansion to advance.”
While Thomas was integral to securing funding to take Karowe underground, the company recently announced the underground project will take longer and cost more than originally estimated.
Her replacement, Lamb, served as Lucara CEO from May 2011 to February 2018 and oversaw the construction of the original Karowe mine and its facilities.
He also was head at Lucara when the miner discovered and sold the 1,109-carat “Lesedi La Rona” diamond, which Graff Diamonds bought for $53 million in 2017.
The company said his experience is “ideally suited to advancing the company’s key underground project to a successful completion.”
Lamb has been working in mining project development and operations for 25 years.
Prior to heading Lucara, he spent a decade at De Beers, working for six of those as a process plant manager for De Beers Canada, and has served on the boards of several public mining companies.
The company confirmed that his appointment is effective immediately.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
