Natural Diamond Council Announces New Board Chair
De Beers Chief Brand Officer David Prager replaces Stephen Lussier.

Lussier, the longest-serving board member, announced he is retiring as chair and board member.
Replacing him is De Beers Chief Brand Officer David Prager, who has served on the NDC board since last year.
“Across time and borders, natural diamonds stand apart as a source of value and values,” said Prager.
“I would like to thank Stephen for his singular contribution to the NDC since its inception. I am proud to serve as chairman of the NDC and support its dedicated team to connect more people around the world to the diamond dream.”
Lussier retired from De Beers in 2022, where he was most recently executive vice president of brands and consumer markets. He spent four decades promoting diamonds, working for De Beers’ former U.S. advertising agency N.W. Ayer, before going in-house with the miner.
NDC noted Lussier’s essential part in bringing miners together to market natural diamonds through the formation of the Diamond Producers Association in 2015, which has since rebranded itself as the Natural Diamond Council.
The organization said Lussier has served as the connector between it and its member companies.
“It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with Stephen,” said Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie.
“His passion for building the desire for natural diamonds is unmatched in our industry and his experience and knowledge of the industry has been pivotal to the success of the NDC. Despite retiring from De Beers earlier this year, Stephen agreed to continue in his role with the NDC to ensure a smooth transition to our new chair. Personally, I’ll miss his mentorship, but also wish him a very happy retirement.”
As the last of the original board members, Lussier said it has been an honor to serve as chair.
“Consumer desire for diamonds and consumer demand for diamond jewelry are the foundation upon which our industry is built, and the work of the NDC is pivotal in maintaining and building this consumer desire,” he said.
“This could not be clearer than it is in the current market. I remain fully confident that with the right marketing, the diamond dream will live ‘forever.’”
The Latest

The peachy hue also marks the program’s 25th anniversary.

The 21 pieces up for auction, including Tiffany & Co. jewels and a Cartier watch, garnered more than $430,000 across two sales.

Centered on a sunny heliodor, the “Links” pin was designed by Ukrainian jewelry artist Inesa Kovalova.

Without the ability to instill confidence within the industry and directly to the consumer, a diamond holds very little value.

It provides a timeline for the implementation of new restrictions, but no details.


Sherry Smith breaks down the numbers on jewelry sales in November and reveals the category that “emerged as a standout.”

Additional lots will be offered in the Fine Jewels online sale through Dec. 7.

With holiday proposals right around the corner, encourage your customers to go for platinum when making the big purchase.

By mixing creative and practical skills, the new course hopes to fill the industry’s bench jeweler gap.

Several other colored gemstones joined the pieces in the top 10 list.

The retailer is still expecting a strong holiday season with improving demand for natural diamonds.

Peter Damian Arguello, the owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery last week.

The Indian jewelry giant has opened locations in Houston and Frisco, Texas.

Each student was provided with the full amount of tuition for the Namibia University of Science & Technology.

Ryan Perry, who has been with De Beers since 2002, also will be leaving the company next year.

The watch seller’s new index tracks sales data from 14 brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.

The industry veteran will step down from both roles in April 2024.

Tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon are all options for December babies, who sometimes “get the birthday shaft,” Amanda Gizzi writes.

The lab-grown diamond brand also collaborated with the website The Future Rocks on a collection launching today.

The company said it is facing a “challenging retail environment” but is prepared for the holiday season.

It’s the hero piece of the newest "Green Jewel" collection, a collaborative offering from the two mines.

The 15.48-carat fancy intense “Pink Supreme” topped Christie’s fall jewelry auction in Asia, while a Patek Philippe led the watch sale.

Chris Cramer, who also spent time at Gen Z intimates brand Parade, will take on the dual role.

The stone headlining the upcoming sale could fetch up to $5 million.

The retail offering lets customers track their diamond’s journey.

The Luele mine is expected to eventually make the country the world’s third-largest diamond producer.

From Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, 200.4 million consumers shopped online and in stores.