MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
EditorsJun 21, 2013
Getting to know Guinea
I often find myself in a circumstance difficult to describe with a single word. It’s not serendipity, exactly, but it goes something like this: there will be, for example, a country or person that I’ve never really much thought to and about which I know little. Then, all of the sudden, this certain country or person will come up multiple times in the span of a few days.
When I asked A.B. where he was from in Africa he replied “Guinea,” and then proceeded to tell me that people in western African are nicer than those in southern Africa, where I have traveled. (Note: this is his opinion, not mine.)
After chatting with A.B. about Africa for a bit, I put down a deposit on my soon-to-be-shorter jeans and left. And that was that.
Fast-forward to the work week, when I come across an article detailing how the U.S. State Department recently inked an agreement to help one western African nation improve transparency in its mining sector. That nation was Guinea.
Situated on the western bulge of Africa between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, the country is 248,847 square kilometers (96,080 square miles) in size with a population of about 11.2 million, meaning it is roughly the size of the state of Oregon but has nearly three times the population.
Guinea’s current president, Alpha Condé, was elected in December 2010, in what was touted as the nation’s first free and fair election since winning its independence from France in the late 1950s.
It is also a country that the U.S. State Department is apparently looking toward for future supplies of rough diamonds.
Late last week, the government announced a new partnership with the nation to try to improve transparency in its mining sector, with a focus on getting more Guinean diamonds certified by the Kimberley Process, minimizing smuggling and understanding the country’s overall capacity for producing diamonds.
In writing a story about this new partnership, I searched NationalJeweler.com’s archives for mentions of Guinea.
The country received accolades from the State Department for its “collaborative efforts” back in June 2011 when the Marange issue threatened to tear apart the KP. The U.S. also praised the country’s increased oversight of rough diamond exports in 2009, though prior reports are indicative of problems in the country, including inconsistencies in trade and labor statistics.
I don’t have first-hand knowledge of the current situation in Guinea, but I do know it is
country that still has its problems, which the State Department acknowledges.
But the U.S. government obviously thinks there is hope there, and the diamond-related headlines currently coming out of Guinea are decidedly less heinous than what we are hearing about other diamond-producing nations in Africa.
In Zimbabwe this week, a government official who recently released a report on missing diamond-mining money died in a mysterious car accident. The government in Angola, meanwhile, is busy defending itself against allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated against migrant female artisanal diamond miners while, at the same time, vying to move into a leadership role as KP vice chair.
Makes mining in Guinea sound good, doesn’t it?
But the U.S. government obviously thinks there is hope there, and the diamond-related headlines currently coming out of Guinea are decidedly less heinous than what we are hearing about other diamond-producing nations in Africa.
In Zimbabwe this week, a government official who recently released a report on missing diamond-mining money died in a mysterious car accident. The government in Angola, meanwhile, is busy defending itself against allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated against migrant female artisanal diamond miners while, at the same time, vying to move into a leadership role as KP vice chair.
Makes mining in Guinea sound good, doesn’t it?
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
