SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at Diavik
Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Simon Trott, head of Rio Tinto’s iron ore business, will take over as the mining company’s chief executive next month. He succeeds Jakob Stausholm, who has been head of Rio Tinto for almost five years. (Photo courtesy of Rio Tinto)
London—Rio Tinto, the sole owner of Canada’s Diavik Diamond Mine, has named a new chief executive.
The London-based mining company announced Tuesday that Simon Trott, the current head of its iron ore business, will replace Jakob Stausholm as chief executive, effective Aug. 25. Stausholm also will resign from the company’s board of directors.
Trott has been with Rio Tinto since 2012.
He was appointed chief commercial officer in January 2018 and became chief executive of the company’s iron ore business in March 2021.
Dominic Barton, chair of Rio Tinto’s board of directors, said, “Simon came into our iron ore business at a time of significant challenges and has been instrumental in rebuilding culture, strengthening external relationships, and setting us on a pathway for growth.
“Under his leadership, iron ore has become a center of innovation for the group, driving operational excellence, technology and operating model optimization, levers Simon can now bring to Rio Tinto at scale.”
Stausholm has headed Rio Tinto since January 2021, taking over for Jean-Sébastien Jacques, who was pushed to resign in September 2020 after the mining company intentionally blew up a sacred indigenous site in Australia earlier that year.
“I want to again recognize Jakob’s significant contribution to Rio Tinto at a critical time in its evolution,” Barton said.
“Under his leadership we have rebuilt relationships with key stakeholders, aligned our portfolio with the commodities where demand growth is strongest, and set a compelling growth trajectory.”
Related stories will be right here …
The London-based mining company announced Tuesday that Simon Trott, the current head of its iron ore business, will replace Jakob Stausholm as chief executive, effective Aug. 25. Stausholm also will resign from the company’s board of directors.
Trott has been with Rio Tinto since 2012.
He was appointed chief commercial officer in January 2018 and became chief executive of the company’s iron ore business in March 2021.
Dominic Barton, chair of Rio Tinto’s board of directors, said, “Simon came into our iron ore business at a time of significant challenges and has been instrumental in rebuilding culture, strengthening external relationships, and setting us on a pathway for growth.
“Under his leadership, iron ore has become a center of innovation for the group, driving operational excellence, technology and operating model optimization, levers Simon can now bring to Rio Tinto at scale.”
Stausholm has headed Rio Tinto since January 2021, taking over for Jean-Sébastien Jacques, who was pushed to resign in September 2020 after the mining company intentionally blew up a sacred indigenous site in Australia earlier that year.
“I want to again recognize Jakob’s significant contribution to Rio Tinto at a critical time in its evolution,” Barton said.
“Under his leadership we have rebuilt relationships with key stakeholders, aligned our portfolio with the commodities where demand growth is strongest, and set a compelling growth trajectory.”
Also this week, Rio Tinto released its second quarter 2025 production figures, including for its one remaining diamond mine, the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada.
Production at Diavik reached 1.24 million carats in Q2, up 76 percent from 702,000 in Q2 2024.
The second quarter 2025 marked the third quarter in a row of production growth at the mine.
A total of 775,000 carats were recovered in the fourth quarter 2024. That increased to 942,000 carats in Q1 2025 before topping 1 million carats in the most recent quarter.
Diavik faced a series of challenges in 2024, starting with a plane crash in January that killed four mine workers and led to a production pause, the subsidence (sinking) of one of the mine’s access roads, and the overall weaker market for diamonds.
Rio Tinto also noted that it ended open-pit mining on the A21 pipe in 2024.
In late 2024, the mining company began the first of two phases of commercial production underground at A21, an investment projected to extend the mine’s life into the first quarter of 2026.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
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.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
