Policies & IssuesDec 07, 2023
The G7’s Long-Awaited Statement on Russian Diamonds Is Here Policies & IssuesDec 20, 2023
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Finished Jewelry to Fall Under G7 Ban, EU Says
The EU also provided details on the carat weight threshold, and how it will track rough diamonds.
The European Union will ban the import of diamonds “mined, processed, or produced” in Russia beginning Jan. 1, part of a fresh round of sanctions designed to impede Russia’s ability to continue to fund its war in Ukraine.
Brussels—The European Union has announced its 12th round of sanctions on Russia and, in doing so, shed some light on the forthcoming G7 restrictions on the country’s diamonds.
Details on the new sanctions were published Monday and, for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly two years ago, Russian diamonds were among the products listed as banned from entering the EU.
The sanctions are part of the “internationally coordinated” G7 diamond ban, and much of the language the EU used in its official statement echoes the statement the Group of Seven nations released earlier this month.
Beginning Jan. 1, the EU and all G7 nations will ban the import of non-industrial, natural diamonds “mined, processed, or produced” in Russia.
This initial ban, set to take effect in less than two weeks, will not have great impact in the United States, as Russian diamonds have been off-limits here since March 2022.
On March 1, the ban will extend to natural Russian diamonds cut and polished in other countries with a weight of 1 carat and above.
Then on Sept. 1, according to the EU, the ban will expand again, this time to lab-grown diamonds made in Russia, finished jewelry set with Russian diamonds, and watches containing diamonds from Russia weight a half carat and above, none of which were mentioned in the G7’s statement.
Sara Yood, deputy general counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, said in an interview Tuesday that the inclusion of lab-grown diamonds is “ultimately a good thing.”
“To me, it’s about consistency. Including lab-grown in this is a net positive because if we care about transparency and traceability, we should care about it across the board.”
Yood also noted that while finished jewelry and lab-grown diamonds have been part of the discussion on Russian diamonds, the EU’s statement is the first time she’s heard diamond-set watches mentioned.
While most watches are set with diamonds that would fall below the half-carat threshold, she sees their inclusion as a “potential loophole they are trying to close before it gets exploited.”
Related stories will be right here …
Details on the new sanctions were published Monday and, for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly two years ago, Russian diamonds were among the products listed as banned from entering the EU.
The sanctions are part of the “internationally coordinated” G7 diamond ban, and much of the language the EU used in its official statement echoes the statement the Group of Seven nations released earlier this month.
Beginning Jan. 1, the EU and all G7 nations will ban the import of non-industrial, natural diamonds “mined, processed, or produced” in Russia.
This initial ban, set to take effect in less than two weeks, will not have great impact in the United States, as Russian diamonds have been off-limits here since March 2022.
On March 1, the ban will extend to natural Russian diamonds cut and polished in other countries with a weight of 1 carat and above.
Then on Sept. 1, according to the EU, the ban will expand again, this time to lab-grown diamonds made in Russia, finished jewelry set with Russian diamonds, and watches containing diamonds from Russia weight a half carat and above, none of which were mentioned in the G7’s statement.
Sara Yood, deputy general counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, said in an interview Tuesday that the inclusion of lab-grown diamonds is “ultimately a good thing.”
“To me, it’s about consistency. Including lab-grown in this is a net positive because if we care about transparency and traceability, we should care about it across the board.”
Yood also noted that while finished jewelry and lab-grown diamonds have been part of the discussion on Russian diamonds, the EU’s statement is the first time she’s heard diamond-set watches mentioned.
While most watches are set with diamonds that would fall below the half-carat threshold, she sees their inclusion as a “potential loophole they are trying to close before it gets exploited.”
The EU’s release on the new sanctions also used the same language as the G7 statement in calling for the establishment of a “robust traceability-based verification and certification mechanism for rough diamonds,” but it expounded upon how the mechanism will work in a Q&A on the sanctions package.
According to the EU, as a “major importer” of rough diamonds, it will create a mechanism for the stones within the G7 that is blockchain-based and will require “mandatory registration” of rough diamonds using “digital twins” of the real diamond in its rough state and issuing a certificate of its origin.
The identifying information and certificate will be entered in a blockchain-based ledger so the diamond can be traced through the cutting and polishing process and presented at time of importation as a diamond from “X” country.
A spokesperson for the European Commission told National Jeweler the blockchain ledger is intended to be used by “all G7, EU jurisdictions and economic operators.”
A blockchain-based solution was the mechanism the EU proposed to the G7.
However, one of the sticking points of the so-called EU Proposal—having all diamonds bound for G7 nations pass through Antwerp—was not mentioned by the EU in its explanation of the verification and certification system.
The EU said the pilot phase of the system will be operational by March 1, and fully online by the Sept. 1 deadline that extends the ban on Russian diamonds to finished jewelry, lab-grown diamonds, and diamond-set watches.
Between March 1 and Aug. 31, companies can use the system of their choosing to prove non-Russian origin but beginning Sept. 1, the use of the blockchain-based system will be “mandatory.”
“We look forward to strong cooperation from industry to ensure that our approach and intentions are understood and implemented,” the EU said.
“The goal of this effort remains centered on reducing revenue that Russia earns from diamonds, which fuels Moscow’s war machine against Ukraine.”
Between March 1 and Aug. 31, companies can use the system of their choosing to prove non-Russian origin but beginning Sept. 1, the use of the blockchain-based system will be “mandatory.”
“We look forward to strong cooperation from industry to ensure that our approach and intentions are understood and implemented,” the EU said.
“The goal of this effort remains centered on reducing revenue that Russia earns from diamonds, which fuels Moscow’s war machine against Ukraine.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
