MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
EditorsJun 19, 2012
A little less conversation, please
Last night, the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA) held a meeting in New York City covering what is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about topics among diamantaires today: synthetics. As I am sure many of you are...
Last night, the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA) held a meeting in New York City covering what is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about topics among diamantaires today: synthetics.
While Monday night’s meeting began with what was a very interesting presentation by the Gemological Institute of America’s Tom Moses and Wuyi Wang, it ended with a question that I personally find even more interesting: What is going to happen to the company--a New York-based diamond company with ties to India--that allegedly submitted these stones to the grading lab in Belgium?
Will they be banned from the world’s diamond bourses or blacklisted in the industry in some other manner? Are criminal charges forthcoming in the case from law enforcement agencies in New York or Antwerp?
So far, the answers are unclear.
DMIA President Ronald Friedman said that here in New York, the DMIA will be “convening a meeting of interested parties,” including law enforcement -- which already has been contacted in the matter -- various industry bodies and the banks.
No date has been set but this meeting will take place “in the short term," he said.
Friedman added, though, that contacting law enforcement is not the only solution in this case. He said all industry players need to get involved, from manufacturers to banks to shippers to grading laboratories, and there needs to be a concerted effort to punish those involved, not just here but overseas as well.
“I see a softness internationally that’s very frustrating, and I see a lack of leadership internationally that’s very frustrating,” Friedman said.
It is my understanding that the federal police in Antwerp are looking into the matter. Friedman said there has been communication between Belgian authorities and those here in the United States, though it is not entirely clear at this point where exactly the fraud took place and, therefore, which law enforcement agency would have jurisdiction in the case.
I also was told by a separate source that India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) called the owner of the offending company into their offices to question him about what happened, and
he claimed to no longer be affiliated with the New York office that submitted the goods, a claim he has made previously. (A subscription is required to read this article.)
When I emailed the GJEPC to ask them about this meeting, I received no response.
Here in New York, the Diamond Dealers Club of New York has ignored numerous calls and emails from National Jeweler, though club President Reuven Kaufman did tell IDEX Online’s Edahn Golan that the DDC was “distressed” -- “profoundly,” nonetheless -- by the incident. It called for those involved to be “severely punished” by the bourses.
As Golan wisely points out in the fourth paragraph, as well as in this column, the DDC is not the first organization to release a statement calling for something to be done and, yet, not much has. Chaim Even-Zohar, the longtime industry journalist who broke the undisclosed synthetics story, issued a similar call in this recent subscription-required editorial.
In the wake of the scandal, the DMIA was among those organizations quick to shoot out a call-to-action news release. “It is unacceptable for industry organizations to sit idly by and pay mere lip service to problems and threats as they come to our industry, and industry leaders must be proactive and fearless in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities,” the DMIA said. “The commitment to criminal prosecution is mandatory in stopping this abhorrent behavior.”
Now it's time to see if the industry can put its words into action, both here and overseas.
When I emailed the GJEPC to ask them about this meeting, I received no response.
Here in New York, the Diamond Dealers Club of New York has ignored numerous calls and emails from National Jeweler, though club President Reuven Kaufman did tell IDEX Online’s Edahn Golan that the DDC was “distressed” -- “profoundly,” nonetheless -- by the incident. It called for those involved to be “severely punished” by the bourses.
As Golan wisely points out in the fourth paragraph, as well as in this column, the DDC is not the first organization to release a statement calling for something to be done and, yet, not much has. Chaim Even-Zohar, the longtime industry journalist who broke the undisclosed synthetics story, issued a similar call in this recent subscription-required editorial.
In the wake of the scandal, the DMIA was among those organizations quick to shoot out a call-to-action news release. “It is unacceptable for industry organizations to sit idly by and pay mere lip service to problems and threats as they come to our industry, and industry leaders must be proactive and fearless in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities,” the DMIA said. “The commitment to criminal prosecution is mandatory in stopping this abhorrent behavior.”
Now it's time to see if the industry can put its words into action, both here and overseas.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
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.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
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 & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
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.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
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.
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.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
