Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
EditorsOct 24, 2008
PAC reports puts things in perspective
After spending a great portion of Thursday afternoon reading Partnership Africa Canada's (PAC) report entitled "Diamonds and Human Security Annual Review 2008," I have a new perspective on the perceived "problems" that exist in my life. Generally, when I get...
After spending a great portion of Thursday afternoon reading Partnership Africa Canada's (PAC) report entitled "Diamonds and Human Security Annual Review 2008," I have a new perspective on the perceived "problems" that exist in my life.
Generally, when I get an e-mail with a 24-page attachment, I am not too thrilled at the prospect of reading it, especially after spending the majority of Wednesday night tossing and turning in bed, barely sleeping because I couldn't stop thinking about the economy and my own financial messiness (which is 99 percent my fault anyway).
But, once I picked up this report, I couldn't put it down.
The report provided fascinating insight into what really goes on in some of the world's diamond-producing nations, beyond the scope of the Kimberley Process, which was put in place to stop the trade of conflict diamonds.
The report gives a detailed account of the conditions affecting miners, human rights, corruption and the living and working conditions of the people in 13 diamond-producing nations around the world.
Two of the more horrific accounts came from the African nation of Angola, a country nearly twice the size of Texas located on the southwestern African coast, just above Namibia.
The first story presented in the PAC reported detailed the alleged murder of diamond miner Belito Mendes, who was badly beaten and later died of his injuries after being stopped by Angolan police and searched for diamonds.
Though Mendes didn't actually have any diamonds on him, he did have the equivalent of $17.50 in cash and allegedly was beaten to death after refusing to hand his money over to police.
Such incidents, according to the report, are "hardly the exception" in Angola's diamond-bearing provinces of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sol, where being a diamond miner often is a dangerous occupation.
The other story included in the report from Angola details the plight of Congolese refugees who flee to Angola and begin working as artisanal diamond miners. The refugees are, indeed, in Angola illegally. But, when discovered by Angolan authorities, they aren't merely arrested or asked to leave. Instead, according to the report, they are often robbed of all they have, and many women are raped.
The report tells the tale of one man who was robbed of his spare clothes, a radio and $600 before being forced to walk back to the Congo, leaving his wife and child behind.
Upon his return to the Congo, he was eventually reunited with his wife, but the reunion was one that was "bittersweet"—he discovered that Angolan border guards had repeatedly raped his wife.
The report makes a good point in that, while it's not wrong for Angolan law enforcement to apprehend those in the country illegally, it is wrong to rob them of all they have, and rape their women.
The report is available here: http://www.pacweb.org/e/images/stories/documents/ar_diamonds_2008_eng.pdf
But I warn you: Don't click on this link unless you have some free time. Once you start reading it, you won't stop. And, when you finish reading it, you'll spend the next couple of hours reflecting on how terrible conditions really are for so many people in the world, and how good you really have it. I know I did.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
