CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
EditorsApr 04, 2012
The Kimberley Process opens up
For about 45 minutes on Tuesday morning, Kimberley Process Chairwoman Gillian Milovanovic did something unprecedented in the history of the 9-year-old process. She hosted a video web chat open to anybody who wanted to listen. According to her office, the...
For about 45 minutes on Tuesday morning, Kimberley Process Chairwoman Gillian Milovanovic did something unprecedented in the history of the 9-year-old process. She hosted a video web chat open to anybody who wanted to listen.
Following the chat, a discussion continued on the KP’s Facebook page.
Having just worked with National Jeweler contributor Pete Vernon on a lengthy Q&A with Milovanovic and having read a number of similar articles, much of what was discussed was not news to me.
A few of the more interesting elements of the chat are below.
-- The process’ complete-consensus voting model, which has its critics, might not be addressed during the U.S.’s one-year term as chair. Milovanovic said that decision-making is “something the Kimberley Process is looking at or will be looking at ... if not this year than next year in the course of the South African chairmanship.” She also noted that the issue isn’t just consensus but decision-making as a whole and that perhaps the process should examine forming a steering committee or some type of board that assists in making decisions throughout the year.
-- The U.S. doesn’t want to be seen as a bully. “We were very pleased to have been selected to chair this process. In being selected, we also were very conscious as the United States that we weren’t going to establish our agenda and impose it on anyone,” she said. “This is a process that operates by consensus and, in essence, we wanted to be giving an impetus, to be giving a certain direction. Ultimately whether our concept of the issues to be looked at was correct would be answered by the membership itself.”
-- Making changes that require massive legislative overhauls isn’t a good thing. During the chat, someone asked a “very important” question: would proposed changes to the KP require countries to alter their government’s legislation? Milovanovic said the process should examine areas--such as enforcement, monitoring and peer review--that could be improved via better implementation and won’t involve country representatives having to return home and try to get laws changed.
“I think this is, looking ahead in the Kimberly Process,
a very important thing because it seems to be doubly challenging to think of change and having to do a lot of legislative changes. And it’s very important that the nations involved understand that there are many, many things that we can look at, and that I hope we will look at in the year ahead, that will not require massive legislative change,” she said.
-- The ad hoc committee will meet this month. Last November at the plenary, the process formed an ad hoc review committee, chaired by Botswana and co-chaired by Canada, to re-examine how the process is, and isn’t, working.
That committee is currently collecting input from other KP members, and Milovanovic said she believes they are meeting this month to go over those responses.
--Venezuela and the KP are on speaking terms. The South American nation, which withdrew voluntarily from the process in 2008, did “provide some materials” to the KP and is engaged in a dialogue with the process.
-- Officials from Zimbabwe are expected to attend the intersessional in June. “We have every expectation that Zimbabwe will have a delegation here and we look forward to it,” she said. “I might add that I also had an opportunity to speak with Zimbabwean officials who were present at the mining (conference) in Cape Town (South Africa) and we had a good conversation.”
At the beginning of the chat, participants were told they could ask questions via Twitter using the hashtags #KimberleyProcess or #KPchair. I tweeted twice, asking first what countries outside of Africa the KP would focus on this year. (Lebanon comes to mind as one that might bear some looking into.)
I also asked if the ambassador foresees any non-governmental organizations stepping up to join the KP, taking the place of the now-departed Global Witness.
As I am sure was the case with many other questioners, the 45-minute session was up before the ambassador could address my inquiries.
Still, it was 45 minutes more than I’ve gotten with any other KP chair and marked a new era (or perhaps just year?) in transparency for the process.
Will a chat like this, or similar engagement, happen again? It doesn’t seem out of the question.
“I’m very pleased we had this opportunity and I would like to see us continue, whether in this particular format or in any other way,” Milovanovic said in concluding the chat. “I think that exchanging information, transparency of this type is extremely important for people to understand what the Kimberley Process is, what it isn’t and what it might become.”
-- The ad hoc committee will meet this month. Last November at the plenary, the process formed an ad hoc review committee, chaired by Botswana and co-chaired by Canada, to re-examine how the process is, and isn’t, working.
That committee is currently collecting input from other KP members, and Milovanovic said she believes they are meeting this month to go over those responses.
--Venezuela and the KP are on speaking terms. The South American nation, which withdrew voluntarily from the process in 2008, did “provide some materials” to the KP and is engaged in a dialogue with the process.
-- Officials from Zimbabwe are expected to attend the intersessional in June. “We have every expectation that Zimbabwe will have a delegation here and we look forward to it,” she said. “I might add that I also had an opportunity to speak with Zimbabwean officials who were present at the mining (conference) in Cape Town (South Africa) and we had a good conversation.”
At the beginning of the chat, participants were told they could ask questions via Twitter using the hashtags #KimberleyProcess or #KPchair. I tweeted twice, asking first what countries outside of Africa the KP would focus on this year. (Lebanon comes to mind as one that might bear some looking into.)
I also asked if the ambassador foresees any non-governmental organizations stepping up to join the KP, taking the place of the now-departed Global Witness.
As I am sure was the case with many other questioners, the 45-minute session was up before the ambassador could address my inquiries.
Still, it was 45 minutes more than I’ve gotten with any other KP chair and marked a new era (or perhaps just year?) in transparency for the process.
Will a chat like this, or similar engagement, happen again? It doesn’t seem out of the question.
“I’m very pleased we had this opportunity and I would like to see us continue, whether in this particular format or in any other way,” Milovanovic said in concluding the chat. “I think that exchanging information, transparency of this type is extremely important for people to understand what the Kimberley Process is, what it isn’t and what it might become.”
More on Editors
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
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.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.
AuctionsJun 10, 2025
Noonans to Auction 16th-Century Signet RingIt's one of the “Gresham grasshopper” rings English financier Sir Thomas Gresham was known to gift to acquaintances or business associates.
CollectionsJun 10, 2025
Tabayer Names Mary Chiam as CEOThe brand also debuted its new “Zorae” collection featuring a talisman of protection and harmony inspired by a sheaf of wheat.
MajorsJun 10, 2025
Lauren Johansen Joins Loudr As Loudr’s new account manager, Johansen will partner with clients to craft and execute marketing strategies.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
And the Winners of the 2025 Couture Design Awards Are … Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.
AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
IndependentsJun 09, 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.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
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.
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.
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.
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.
