Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
Tender of Marange goods possible this year
Representatives from Zimbabwe paid a visit to Antwerp this week to discuss organizing a sale of rough diamonds from the country’s Marange region before the end of 2013.
Antwerp--Representatives from Zimbabwe paid a visit to Antwerp this week to discuss organizing a sale of rough diamonds from the country’s Marange region before the end of 2013.
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) reported Tuesday that it is hosting a delegation of representatives from the Zimbabwean government and two mining companies, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) and the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), in Antwerp.
The visit is the result of meetings between Zimbabwean ministers, representatives of the local diamond mining industry and an AWDC delegation that took place in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare two weeks ago.
Among other issues, the AWDC, ZMDC and MMCZ are discussing the organization of the first Marange diamond tender, with plans on holding the sale in the next two months.
Debate over diamonds from Zimbabwe’s Marange region is the issue that deadlocked the Kimberley Process (KP) for two years. Trade in rough from the region was banned in November 2009 after reports of smuggling and human rights abuses emerged and remained so until November 2011.
Even after the KP ban was lifted, diamonds mined by the companies that operate in this region still were under sanction by the European Union (EU) and the United States.
Urged by representatives from Belgium, the EU opted to lift its sanctions on the ZMDC in September.
The AWDC said the trading of Marange diamonds on the European market, which now is legal, is a positive step, noting that the “combination of solid transparency, accountability and potentially increased mining revenues will contribute to the sustainable social and economic development of Zimbabwe.”
Zimbabwe Minister of Mines and Mining Development Walter Chidhakwa said during a speech at the AWDC event in Harare that, beyond meeting KP’s requirements, he wants Zimbabwe diamonds to have the same level of transparency as those mined elsewhere in the world.
While the EU lifted its sanctions on Zimbabwe, trade in Marange diamonds remains banned in the U.S. due to sanctions enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Jewelers of America urges retailers to exercise due diligence with their suppliers to ensure they are not dealing in Marange stones.
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.























