IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
DEF event scores additional sponsors
A pair of large mining companies and one of the world’s biggest retailers are among the latest industry players to pledge their support for the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s annual gala in Las Vegas.

New York--A pair of large mining companies and one of the world’s biggest retailers are among the latest industry players to pledge their support for the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s annual gala in Las Vegas.
DEF announced that Rio Tinto and De Beers are joining Signet Jewelers Ltd. as premier presenting sponsors of the Diamonds in the Sky event scheduled to take place this June in Las Vegas.
Chinese retailer Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd. is the event’s premier partner sponsor while KGK Group and Le Vian Corp. join Tiffany & Co. as premier patron sponsors.
The black-tie optional Diamonds in the Sky event is scheduled for May 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. Attending the event will be members of the diamond industry, government officials from diamond-producing nations, dignitaries and celebrities.
DEF will present its 2014 Global Diamond Industry Achievement Award that night to Botswana’s President Ian Khama and the Government of the Republic of Botswana in recognition of their global leadership and contributions to democracy.
RELATED CONTENT: DEF to honor Botswana president at Las Vegas event
“The immediate embrace by these global leaders of the … gala signifies a momentous coming together of the industry in support of DEF’s Diamonds Do Good mission,” said De Beers Group of Companies CEO Philippe Mellier. “We are delighted to be part of this special occasion honoring (Botswana’s) unique record of success in transforming its natural resource into sustainable, broad-based development.”
Benefactor sponsors of the event are: Arjav Diamonds, Blue Star Diamonds, Dali Diamond Co., Diacore, Diarough, Eurostar Diamond Traders, Julius Klein Group, M. Suresh Company, Pluzcenik, Rosy Blue, Shree Ramkrishna Exports, Sustainer Sponsors; American Gem Society Laboratories, Christopher Designs, Crossworks Manufacturing, Dalumi Group, Dominion Diamonds, the Gemological Institute of America, Interjewel, JCK, Leo Schachter, Niru Group, Rapaport Group, Taché, Y. Dvash and Empowerment Circle Partners; Forevermark, Dalumi Group, Malca-Amit, Brilliant Earth, Exelco, Leo Schachter, Sarine Technologies and Tiffany.
Additional information on the Diamonds in the Sky event can be found by contacting DEF Executive Director Nancy Orem Lyman at n.lyman@diamondempowerment.org or on the DEF website.
The Latest

The Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.

From cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.


From tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.

The “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.

The chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”

The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.

The Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

The new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.

The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

The retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.























