SourcingAug 29, 2024
De Beers Looks to India to Boost Demand for Natural Diamonds SourcingSep 20, 2024
Sally Morrison Takes on Larger Role as De Beers Zeros In On Category Marketing
The company is poised to make a big push for natural diamonds this holiday season.
Veteran marketer Sally Morrison has taken on a new, expanded role with De Beers Group as natural diamonds market lead for the U.S.
London—De Beers Group has tapped an industry veteran to head its return to large-scale category marketing in the United States after more than a decade.
Sally Morrison will spearhead the effort in her new role as natural diamonds market lead for the U.S., while also taking charge of category marketing efforts globally on an interim basis.
An extension of her duties as De Beers’ director of public relations for natural diamonds, this new, larger role will see Morrison continue to lead De Beers’ joint campaign with Signet, which she said will launch shortly.
She’s also heading development of a new fourth-quarter natural diamond advertising campaign for the industry at large, building on what De Beers did in Q4 2023.
The goal of both campaigns is to inspire people to fall in love with natural diamond jewelry.
“There are some things, historically, that we think De Beers has done really well and one of them is understanding deep consumer insights and how to map them against consumers in a modern and relevant way,” Morrison said.
“We’re going to continue to do that in close partnership with people in the trade, whether it’s Signet or other retailers.”
Related stories will be right here …
Sally Morrison will spearhead the effort in her new role as natural diamonds market lead for the U.S., while also taking charge of category marketing efforts globally on an interim basis.
An extension of her duties as De Beers’ director of public relations for natural diamonds, this new, larger role will see Morrison continue to lead De Beers’ joint campaign with Signet, which she said will launch shortly.
She’s also heading development of a new fourth-quarter natural diamond advertising campaign for the industry at large, building on what De Beers did in Q4 2023.
The goal of both campaigns is to inspire people to fall in love with natural diamond jewelry.
“There are some things, historically, that we think De Beers has done really well and one of them is understanding deep consumer insights and how to map them against consumers in a modern and relevant way,” Morrison said.
“We’re going to continue to do that in close partnership with people in the trade, whether it’s Signet or other retailers.”
De Beers focus on generic category marketing is a reprise of the activity the company did years ago via the Diamond Promotion Service/Diamond Information Center accounts at advertising agency J. Walter Thompson (JWT).
Around 2011, the company abandoned category advertising in favor of promoting its own brand, Forevermark.
Morrison, who had been with JWT for nearly a decade, left to join De Beers as chief marketing officer for Forevermark.
Morrison also has category marketing experience outside of diamonds.
She worked as colored gemstone miner Gemfields’ director of marketing and sales for a little over a year and spent three years with the World Gold Council as managing director for jewelry.
She also was the first managing director of marketing for the Diamond Producers Association, the predecessor to the Natural Diamond Council.
“Sally’s unrivalled experience and deep understanding of the natural diamond landscape will help us to accelerate our ambitions as we continue to roll out our ‘Origins’ strategy and demonstrate how nature’s most extraordinary creations can fulfill our greatest aspirations,” De Beers Brands CEO Sandrine Conseiller said.
“I’m looking forward to working with Sally and our partners to connect the modern consumer to the beautiful, unique and rare qualities of these most precious stones and grow the diamond dream in the U.S. and beyond.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
