Sourcing

Fura Gems Hires for Marketing and Sales, Colombian Ops

SourcingNov 17, 2017

Fura Gems Hires for Marketing and Sales, Colombian Ops

Rupak Sen and Armando Diaz both join the company from roles at Gemfields.

Toronto--Fura Gems continues to build its executive team with the appointment of two new members.

Rupak Sen has been hired as vice president, marketing and sales, and Armando Diaz has been appointed as project manager, Colombia.

Sen will be based in Fura’s administrative headquarters in Dubai and will report directly to President and CEO Dev Shetty.

In his role, Sen will be responsible for global marketing, communications and sales of rough gemstones.

Prior to joining Fura, he served as acting global director of marketing and polished sales, and marketing and sales director for Asia for Gemfields. During his 9-year stint with Gemfields, Sen was instrumental in implementing the “mines and market” strategy in Asia.

He also was responsible for overall advertising, public relations, sponsorships, research, co-branding, co-marketing, education and training in his territory.

Prior to Gemfields, Sen oversaw the launch and growth of various brands in Asia, including companies like De Beers, Swatch Group and D. Navinchandra & Co.

Diaz, meanwhile, will be responsible for development of the Coscuez emerald mine, a recent acquisition by Fura.

Diaz will report directly to Vice President, Operations, Ashim Roy, and will be responsible for strategic planning, overall development of the mine, implementation of the sustainability framework and communication with the local community.

Diaz has more than 30 years of experience in both underground and open cast mining operations.

Prior to joining Fura, he worked with Gemfields in Colombia as a project manager and was responsible for the evaluation and acquisition of new emerald mines in both the operating and exploration stages.

He also has previously held a number of senior positions in the mining industry and has developed underground and open cast mines in South America, Asia and Africa.

Diaz has worked as an operations manager for the underground mines in India for Hindustan Zinc Limited, the Kansanshi open-pit mine for First Quantum Minerals, the underground operation for Mopani and various underground projects in South America consisting of copper, lead, zinc and gold commodities.

Fura Gems Inc.’s corporate headquarters are in Toronto, and its administrative headquarters are in the Almas Tower in Dubai.

Fura also has four ruby licenses in Mozambique, three of which are north of Gemfields’ ruby project and one toward the south, which the company believes is a new belt for the stones.

The company has commenced drilling programs for the three northern licenses, and the first phase should be completed on or before Dec. 31.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Mikimoto The Bows high jewelry necklace
SurveysJul 09, 2025
Jewelry Stays Strong as Luxury Market Slows, Bain & Co. Says

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

James Avery Texas charm
Policies & IssuesJul 09, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief Efforts

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

1 NJ-Supplier-Bulletin-Snake-One.jpg
Supplier BulletinJul 09, 2025
JCK Unwrapped: Trends, Insights & Post-Show Tips

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Cece Jewellery For the Love of Fruits Pendants
CollectionsJul 09, 2025
Cece Jewellery’s New Fruit Jewels Celebrate Life’s Sweetness

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Graphic showing images from National Jeweler’s top 5 stories 2025
EditorsJul 09, 2025
The Most-Read Stories of 2025, So Far

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.

Mikimoto Les Pétales Campaign Imagery and Les Pétales Necklace
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into Petals

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium Pricing

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

Diamond Divas Cast
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality Series

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

SMO Golden Gala
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New Foundation

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

Stock image of container ship in port
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials Say

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

David Kellie
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step Down

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Suspects in Glendale burglary
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store Burglary

Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.

Ella Klein Internship
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy