Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
EditorsDec 03, 2006
'Blood Diamond' screened
Having finally seen Blood Diamond in a sold-out preview Saturday night, I think the biggest impact the film will have is to make concerned consumers raise questions. In fact, in its post-script, it urges them to make sure the diamonds...
Having finally seen Blood Diamond in a sold-out preview Saturday night, I think the biggest impact the film will have is to make concerned consumers raise questions. In fact, in its post-script, it urges them to make sure the diamonds they buy are conflict-free.
The film contains plenty of violent images that without any context could be damaging to the diamond industry, most notably child soldiers and the horrors inflicted by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) during Sierra Leone's civil war, as well as a diamond industry that enabled the trading of smuggled gems through a fictionalized diamond cartel called Van De Kamp (an obvious hit at De Beers). But ultimately, this isn't a message film and doesn't have the impact of something like the far superior Hotel Rwanda. Plus, it isn't saying "don't buy diamonds"; if anything, it tells people to be conscientious about the diamonds they do purchase. The strongest statement comes from Jennifer Connelly's journalist character who says people wouldn't want a diamond ring if they knew it cost another person their hand.
The plot-heavy film throws out a number of statistics and information about diamonds (it quotes the disputed figure that during the period 15 percent of diamonds were considered of conflict origin and has a mention of Global Witness). But it has such a relentless onslaught of violence (at times crossing over from compelling into video-game territory), history and fiction that the viewer is more likely to walk out feeling exhausted than suddenly enlightened about Africa and the role diamonds play, for good or ill. As one friend (someone who feels deeply about a number of global issues, but who is not in the jewelry industry) put it: "It didn't make me care." In other words, it's an action film, not a call-to-action film.
In the end, it comes off as a toss-up for the industry. Rather than an indictment, it feels like a slap on the wrist for past indiscretion and a more hopeful vision of how things have changed. It includes rather incomplete notes on the Kimberley Process and the fact that there is now peace in Sierra Leone. While it does give the rather grim statistic that there are still 200,000 child soldiers in Africa, it doesn't connect that statement to the diamond industry.
As for whether or not the film is good or bad, I think it's
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
decent but far from great. The audience response seemed semi-positive (some applause at the end and one overheard "That was great"). I'm not sure if it's just because I've been writing about it month after month, but I was probably "over it" by the time I actually got to screen it. Usually when I see a film that really hits me, however, I want to talk about it extensively and passionately afterward, even if I've been caught up in the "buzz" leading up to it. Saturday night, neither myself nor anyone in my group of friends was particularly inspired to discuss the movie.
Blood Diamond is what I'd consider a solidly made action film that's raised up a notch by terrific performances from Djimon Hounsou and Leonardo DiCaprio. In terms of its Oscar chances, I think Hounsou has the best shot at a major Academy Award nomination in the supporting actor category. I'm sticking by my earlier prediction that DiCaprio will get nominated for best actor but for The Departed. His performance in Blood Diamond will no doubt help him get the recognition he deserves for the other film.
Regardless what the critical and commercial response is (you can read a few early reviews here), it's still a must-see for retailers and those in the diamond industry. The real ongoing story on this issue is far more interesting and compelling than this fiction, and its something jewelers must be prepared to share. Because if the film asks consumers to take responsibility for what they buy, jewelers have to be sure they've taken responsibility for what they sell.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
