Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
DDI Brings Schools to Artisan Diamond Mining Communities
The Diamond Development Initiative has received grants from the Diamond Empowerment Fund and Brilliant Earth to fund the schools.

Ottawa, Ontario--The Diamond Development Initiative’s motto is: If you can’t send kids to school, then send schools to kids.
The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) announced it has received two grants, one from nonprofit Diamond Empowerment Fund and the other from ethical jewelry retailer Brilliant Earth, to fund its mobile schooling program.
The DDI’s mobile schools were enacted to meet the needs of artisan diamond mining communities where schools are far away, making it likely for children to work in mining fields with their parents, rather than pursue education.
Through grants, the schools provide a physical facility, uniforms, meals and school materials. They also train teachers and involve the community through construction, security and maintenance.
The two existing mobile schools were established in 2015 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering two-year remedial educational programs to students. The programs aim to prepare them for reintegration into formal education upon completion.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund, which funded one of the schools, called the “Diamond Empowerment Mobile School,” has donated a grant to fund the second year of programming for the school’s 20 students. The school is located in Kankala, a mining village in the Kasai Occidental province in the DRC.
“We recognize that we are barely scratching the surface," said Dorothée Gizenga, Executive Director of DDI. “All children, from elementary and secondary levels, should be in school. But today, thanks to the Diamond Empowerment Fund, there are 20 children in Kankala who are receiving a good education. Twenty children with the chance to succeed are bringing hope to their village. And this is only the beginning.”
Brilliant Earth, which is responsible for the creation of the second school created in 2015, the Brilliant Mobile School, has provided funding for that school’s second year of programming, as well as additional funding to introduce a new class of children to the school, allowing 20 more students the opportunity for education.
Beth Gerstein, Brilliant Earth’s co-founder and CEO commented, “The work of DDI to improve the conditions of artisanal diamond miners and their families aligns with our own mission to provide jewelry that consumers can be proud to wear. We are happy to invest in the lives of these students and offer them a better future.”
Gizenga noted, “This small group of children is receiving high quality education that could enable them to break the cycle of poverty. Through this donation, Brilliant Earth is ensuring continuity and showing the example.”
For
Further information on their partners, the Diamond Empowerment Fund and Brilliant Earth, can be found on their websites.
“There are hundreds, even thousands of children like them in artisanal mining communities in Africa,” Gizenga said of the mobile school students. “We call on local and international partners to do more to respond to this need.”
The Latest

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.


Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.