Lucara Names New VP of Mineral Resources
Lauren Freeman, a Ph.D. with more than 25 years of experience in mining, has joined the company.
Her appointment is effective July 1. She will oversee all aspects of mineral resource management for the company’s Karowe mine in Botswana and contribute to its overall development strategy.
Freeman holds a Ph.D. in economic geology and a GDE in mining engineering, both from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. She is also a registered professional natural scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.
A specialist in large Type II diamonds, she has more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry, with a focus on mineral resource estimation, diamond value management, diamond pricing, geological modelling, and strategic mine planning.
Freeman has held senior roles at several diamond mining and resource consulting companies, leading teams responsible for resource definition and underground expansion projects.
Lucara is currently in the process of going underground at Karowe, its only active mine, but announced last year that the project will take longer and cost more than expected due to unforeseen complications.
“We are delighted to welcome Lauren to the Lucara team,” Lucara CEO William Lamb said.
“Her extensive experience and technical expertise in mineral resource management will be invaluable as we continue to optimize diamond recovery from our Karowe mine and develop our mine and ore extraction plan for our underground project.”
The Latest

Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association

In the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.

The 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.


The lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.

Longtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.

The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.

The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.

Museum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.

The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.























