Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
New report details ups, downs of the KP
Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) recently published a report on the Kimberley Process on behalf of the KP’s civil society coalition, intended for use by the industry and the general public.
Ottawa, Ontario--Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) recently published a report on the Kimberley Process on behalf of the KP’s civil society coalition, intended for use by the industry and the general public.
According to the report, since the implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in 2003, large volumes of rough diamonds have been brought into the legal trade and the process has injected transparency into the diamond industry and inspired the formation of other systems, such as the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative.
However, it notes that there are problems with the process, many of which have been widely reported.
These include the “limited and outdated” definition of conflict diamonds--a new definition failed to pass last year--the need for unanimity instead of a strong majority to make any decisions and the need for the KP to address human rights.
The report also mentions weak internal controls in artisanal producing countries, where authorities cannot verify the origin of 25 to 50 percent of the diamonds they export, “extreme reluctance” to impose suspensions on non-compliant members, ineffectiveness in the peer review mechanism and lack of transparency.
The report states that although the KP has an agreement in place to publish annual and review reports on the KP website, it’s not being done, an issue that arose earlier this year in light of the just-conducted review mission on the United States. Civil society recommends all monitoring reports, participants’ annual reports and statistics be made public.
“The shortcomings of the KP are not insurmountable,” the report states. “And yet time and again, some governments appear unwilling to use the tools at their disposal to ensure effective implementation and enforce compliance. Alarm at KP ineffectiveness is so strong in some quarters that there are concerns that the KP could become irrelevant.”
A total of 11 organizations form the KP’s civil society coalition, which serves as a non-voting observer of the process along with the World Diamond Council, the Diamond Development Initiative and the African Diamond Producers Association.
The entire 33-page report is posted on PAC’s website and is available in both English and French. A listing of all 11 members of the KP’s civil society coalition can be found on KimberleyProcess.com.
The Latest

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.


The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

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).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.























