MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEO
Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
HRD Antwerp’s board of directors has named Paul De Wachter, a diamond industry banking veteran with more than 20 years of experience, as its new CEO.
Antwerp, Belgium—HRD Antwerp, the grading lab that is a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, has named Paul De Wachter as its new CEO.
De Wachter, who will officially take on the role in January 2026, succeeds Ellen Joncheere, who has held the position since 2020.
Joncheere’s contract was not renewed, said the company, and she is stepping down.
The board expressed its thanks for her service and said, “She succeeded in putting the company back on track in a relatively short period after a turbulent time—an achievement that was anything but self-evident.”
The lab’s interim CEO, Stanley De Belie, who is also the chief operations officer, will lead the company during the transitional phase.
De Wachter has more than 20 years of experience in the international diamond industry, beginning his career in 2002 at the Antwerp Diamond Bank.
He served as senior relationship manager there before moving to Channel Capital Advisors and taking on a similar role.
He joined the National Bank of Fujairah in 2018, starting there as head of the Antwerp Representative Office, where he built a local client portfolio.
Related stories will be right here …
De Wachter, who will officially take on the role in January 2026, succeeds Ellen Joncheere, who has held the position since 2020.
Joncheere’s contract was not renewed, said the company, and she is stepping down.
The board expressed its thanks for her service and said, “She succeeded in putting the company back on track in a relatively short period after a turbulent time—an achievement that was anything but self-evident.”
The lab’s interim CEO, Stanley De Belie, who is also the chief operations officer, will lead the company during the transitional phase.
De Wachter has more than 20 years of experience in the international diamond industry, beginning his career in 2002 at the Antwerp Diamond Bank.
He served as senior relationship manager there before moving to Channel Capital Advisors and taking on a similar role.
He joined the National Bank of Fujairah in 2018, starting there as head of the Antwerp Representative Office, where he built a local client portfolio.
Most recently, De Wachter has served as head of the diamond unit at the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF), expanding its brand and strengthening its market position, according to HRD Antwerp.
De Wachter holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
“With his extensive experience in the international diamond industry, his strong and relevant network, and the concrete results he has achieved as head of the diamond unit at NBF, Paul convinced us that he is the right person to lead HRD Antwerp into the future,” Bart De Hantsetters said on behalf of the board of directors.
“We are delighted that someone with his expertise and vision is taking on this important role and wish him every success.”
De Wachter said he is looking forward to the new challenge.
“I am fully aware of the amount of work that lies ahead, at a time when the international diamond industry is facing major challenges, including the rise of lab-grown diamonds.
“HRD needs a strong, clear vision and determined leadership to deliver on its role as a trusted partner for its clients. In my role as CEO, I will do everything I can to make that happen,” he said.
The Latest
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
