SourcingJul 05, 2024
Lucara Names New VP of Mineral ResourcesSourcingJul 08, 2024
AWDC Re-Elects Isidore Mörsel as Board President
Ravi Bhansali has been elected vice president.
Isidore Mörsel, pictured right, will stay on as president of the AWDC board of directors, while Ravi Bhansali joins the board as vice president.
Antwerp, Belgium—The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has re-elected Isidore Mörsel as president of the board of directors and elected Ravi Bhansali as vice president.
Mörsel, the CEO of Dali Diamond Company, stepped into the role in September 2023 after former AWDC president David Gotlib resigned.
“I feel very honored to be re-elected as president of AWDC’s board of directors,” said Mörsel.
“The global diamond industry finds itself amidst an important transformation and there are big challenges ahead, including for Antwerp.”
Bhansali, who steers operations at Rosy Blue, a diamond trading and manufacturing company, will join the board as vice president for the next two years.
His election symbolizes how a younger generation of diamantaires has been taking over leadership positions in Antwerp’s diamond companies over the recent years, said AWDC.
“I am looking forward to a continued cooperation with Mr. Mörsel in his role as the president with Mr. Bhansali as incoming vice president of our board of directors,” said Karen Rentmeesters, AWDC’s interim CEO.
“In the past weeks and months, Mr. Mörsel has demonstrated an incredibly strong commitment to the Antwerp Diamond Industry and the challenges we face today. The combined expertise and drive of the president, vice president, and entire AWDC board is crucial to steer the future of Antwerp’s diamond industry towards growth, together with AWDC’s management team.”
Related stories will be right here …
Mörsel, the CEO of Dali Diamond Company, stepped into the role in September 2023 after former AWDC president David Gotlib resigned.
“I feel very honored to be re-elected as president of AWDC’s board of directors,” said Mörsel.
“The global diamond industry finds itself amidst an important transformation and there are big challenges ahead, including for Antwerp.”
Bhansali, who steers operations at Rosy Blue, a diamond trading and manufacturing company, will join the board as vice president for the next two years.
His election symbolizes how a younger generation of diamantaires has been taking over leadership positions in Antwerp’s diamond companies over the recent years, said AWDC.
“I am looking forward to a continued cooperation with Mr. Mörsel in his role as the president with Mr. Bhansali as incoming vice president of our board of directors,” said Karen Rentmeesters, AWDC’s interim CEO.
“In the past weeks and months, Mr. Mörsel has demonstrated an incredibly strong commitment to the Antwerp Diamond Industry and the challenges we face today. The combined expertise and drive of the president, vice president, and entire AWDC board is crucial to steer the future of Antwerp’s diamond industry towards growth, together with AWDC’s management team.”
The AWDC has been vocal about its role in the G7 nations’ ban on importing diamonds mined in Russia.
In May, the organization released a statement pushing back against the EU’s plan to establish Antwerp as the sole “rough node” through which all rough diamonds must pass to certify they are not of Russian origin.
It’s advocating instead for the establishment of multiple rough diamond verification nodes, including in producing countries.
Bhansali said this plays a pivotal role in ensuring the diamond supply chain meets the highest standards of ethical and sustainable trade.
“We believe this approach is both feasible and fair, promoting unity and shared responsibility among all stakeholders. This concept will enable and empower the timely and effective integration of major African producing and polishing countries into this new global reality,” said Bhansali.
In the meantime, the AWDC sees the model node in Antwerp as an opportunity to set an example.
Mörsel added, “I believe that we, as an important industry organization, are poised to play a significant role in guiding and directing the industry, having been honored by the G7 to act as a model node for rough diamond verification.
“This recognition will allow Antwerp to lead by example, supporting the successful implementation of this initiative and fostering stronger global cooperation within the international diamond community.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction 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.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
