MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingOct 30, 2013
Varda Shine leaving De Beers
After 30 years with the company, Varda Shine is leaving her post as the global head of sightholder sales for the De Beers Group of Companies at the end of January to “explore other opportunities,” De Beers announced Thursday.
Paul Rowley and Varda Shine
London--After 30 years with the company, Varda Shine is leaving her post as the global head of sightholder sales for the De Beers Group of Companies at the end of January to “explore other opportunities,” De Beers announced Thursday.
Paul Rowley, the senior vice president of midstream operations for global sightholder sales, will replace Shine. Rowley has been with De Beers since 1983 and has held a variety of senior positions within the organization, including as acting CEO of DTC Botswana prior to his current role.
The announcement of Shine’s departure comes shortly after De Beers relocated its aggregation services from London to Gaborone, Botswana, per the company’s current 10-year sales contract with the African nation.
The geographic shift in sales activity meant the relocation of the majority of De Beers’ operations, and therefore its personnel, from London to Gaborone.
In August, a De Beers spokeswoman told National Jeweler that Shine, whose official title is executive vice president of global sightholder sales, would be relocating along with other employees in time for the first sight, which will take place next month. However, other reports indicated that it was unclear if Shine’s was a permanent move and speculated that she would leave De Beers shortly after the relocation.
On Thursday, a De Beers spokeswoman said that Shine always intended to move to Botswana with the sales team but now that the transition is “pretty well complete,” she feels it is time to “explore other opportunities.”
Shine began her career with De Beers in Israel in 1983, working with Diamdel, which today is known as De Beers Auction Sales, rising to the position of sales director.
In 1997, she relocated to London to work as a production manager with the Diamond Trading Co. (DTC), which is now called Global Sightholder Sales. De Beers promoted her to director of sales and sightholder services for the DTC in 2003, before promoting her again to her current role in January 2006.
Shine also is chairwoman of the DTC Botswana and deputy chairperson of the Namibia DTC board, having led the establishment of the Sightholder Services Network, with the formal creation of the government joint ventures, DTC Botswana and Namibia DTC.
She also will resign from both of these positions. De Beers said it will name successors shortly.
“I am very proud of all I have achieved with De Beers, both on
the commercial side as well as establishing beneficiation at the heart of the organization. I have really enjoyed working with our sightholders over the years, witnessing their businesses transform, and with our government partners in the establishment of the DTC Botswana and Namibia DTC joint ventures and in managing the relocation of the Global Sightholder Sales operations from the UK to Botswana,” Shine said in a statement. “I believe that De Beers has a very bright future in southern Africa and Paul has all the right ingredients to take the business on to further success.”
De Beers CEO Philippe Mellier called Shine’s contribution to De Beers over the past three decades “immense.”
“I would like to thank her wholeheartedly for her tireless commitment to the success of De Beers, its partners and the wider diamond industry. I am delighted to have a successor with Paul’s expertise in diamonds and experience in Africa to take Global Sightholder Sales forward. He will provide excellent continuity of leadership as the business settles in its new home,” Mellier said.
De Beers CEO Philippe Mellier called Shine’s contribution to De Beers over the past three decades “immense.”
“I would like to thank her wholeheartedly for her tireless commitment to the success of De Beers, its partners and the wider diamond industry. I am delighted to have a successor with Paul’s expertise in diamonds and experience in Africa to take Global Sightholder Sales forward. He will provide excellent continuity of leadership as the business settles in its new home,” Mellier said.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
