EU Once Again Pushes Back Deadline on Diamond Traceability
The EU, like the U.S., also now will require diamond importers to provide information about where exactly the diamonds were mined.

In a Feb. 23 release, the EU announced its 16th sanctions package against Russia, designed to ramp up the pressure against Russia and show its support for Ukraine.
As part of the new package, the EU has pushed the deadline for implementation of a system for tracking rough diamonds from mine to market to Jan. 1, 2026, as per a decision published in its official journal.
The latest deadline push marks the second postponement of implementing a system for rough diamond tracking as mandated by the G-7 back in December 2023.
At that time, the G-7 said its member countries that are “major” importers of rough diamonds had to establish a “robust traceability-based verification and certification mechanism” for tracking diamonds by Sept. 1, 2024, giving the industry a so-called sunrise period to get a system in place.
In June 2024, the EU announced it was extending the sunrise period from Sept. 1 to March 1, 2025.
Now, with March 1 just days away and many questions from the industry left unanswered, the decision to postpone was “appropriate,” said the EU.
“Addressing governance issues associated with the traceability system will require ongoing cooperation with the G-7 and third countries,” it said.
“In order to further the facilitation of the implementation of those measures and continued engagement with the G-7 and third countries, continued monitoring of the level playing field among G7 partners with regard to diamond-related measures should be conducted.”’
The decision to postpone the deadline was welcomed by Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.
“At this stage, there is still considerable uncertainty about how the traceability system will function and how it will be governed,” she said.
“Diamond companies now have much-needed time to adequately prepare for its implementation in their daily operations."
Smaller diamond companies, which account for more than half of the 1,470 active diamond companies in Antwerp, are especially challenged, said AWDC, adding that it will actively support them in the coming months.
While the postponement is a positive, said Rentmeesters, she stressed the importance of a “level playing field.”
“Russia continues to export large volumes of diamonds to countries outside the G-7, which allows them to still enter the polished diamond markets,” she said.
“To prevent the European diamond sector from being disproportionately disadvantaged once again, a level playing field within the G-7 is essential. Measures must be applied and enforced uniformly across all member states, particularly in major consumer markets such as the U.S."
As of press time, the United States has not publicly commented on or shared details or a deadline regarding a traceability process.
On Tuesday, Jewelers of America shared a statement with National Jeweler regarding the EU’s decision to delay the traceability deadline, stating, “Jewelers of America fully supports fair, realistic, and manageable systems to help identify origins of polished diamonds. This must be done with close collaboration of U.S. industry and government as well as international stakeholders to get it right. We welcome the extra time to work together toward an equitable solution.”
The EU also noted a change to the rules regarding importing rough diamonds of mixed origins.
As of March 1, it will be mandatory to provide a Kimberley Process (KP) certificate that states the exact countries of origin for all the rough diamonds in each shipment.
The announcement follows a similar move in the U.S.
Earlier this month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that sometime in April it will require companies importing diamonds into the U.S. to list the country where the diamonds were mined in the Automated Customs Environment (ACE) manifest.
It’s a step further than just self-certifying the stones are not from Russia.
CBP did not provide an exact date and did not specify what size of goods will have to meet the new requirement.
CBP also did not provide specifics on the documents needed, but for those importing diamonds into the U.S., it is presumed to mean a KP certificate or a certificate from the G-7 verification “node” in Antwerp or the coming one in Botswana.
Since March 1, 2024, companies or individuals importing loose polished natural diamonds weighing 1 carat or more into the U.S. have had to self-certify that the diamonds were not mined or manufactured in Russia.
The rules expanded to include finished jewelry and diamonds weighing 0.5 carats and above on Sept. 1.
The EU said sanctions remain at the core of its response to Russia’s “unjustified military aggression.”
“Every sanction package deprives the Kremlin of funds to wage war. With talks underway to end Russia’s aggression, we must put Ukraine in the strongest possible position. Sanctions provide leverage,” said Kaja Kallas, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy/vice president of the European Commission.
Maria Luís Albuquerque, the EU’s commissioner for financial services and the savings and investments union, stressed the need to prevent circumvention of its sanctions.
“We will continue taking decisive action to ensure full implementation of our existing sanctions, and bring in new sanctions as necessary,” she said.
The Latest

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.


Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.