MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
SourcingMay 01, 2018
De Beers to Begin Selling Artisanally Mined Diamonds
It’s partnering with the Diamond Development Initiative on a program using rough stones from Sierra Leone.
Ottawa, Ontario—De Beers and the Diamond Development Initiative have launched a program where the mining company will, if all goes according to plan, sell rough diamonds from artisanal and small-scale mining sites in Sierra Leone.
The Diamond Development Initiative, or DDI, is the Ottawa, Ontario-based non-governmental organization led by Dorothée Gizenga that has spent the past decade working to formalize the artisanal mining sector of diamonds in various parts of Africa in order to improve livelihoods and working conditions for the people mining diamonds there.
Called GemFair, the DDI-De Beers program is open only to miners who are certified as having met the DDI’s Maendeleo Diamond Standards—which include protecting the health and safety of miners, respecting human rights, excluding child labor and employing practices that are environmentally sustainable—as well as additional GemFair standards, and are working at approved mining sites.
Once certified, De Beers will supply the miners with a tablet loaded with a softw
are application that incorporates GPS locations and QR-coded “bag and tag” equipment. De Beers created the software so it works both online and off, and the hardware has been designed for use in “tough rural conditions;” it can, for example, be charged using solar energy.
In addition, miners will be trained on diamond classification so they understand the value of what they are selling.
The pre-pilot phase of GemFair launched last month and involved setting up a local presence in Sierra Leone, and working with DDI and registered mining sites to ensure standards are being met, that miners are trained on how to use the technology and that they understand diamond classification.
Once everything is place, GemFair will begin buying rough diamonds from participating miners (miners, however, are not under any obligation to sell their stones) and selling those stones via De Beers’ auction sales platform.
The goal is for rough to be available at a De Beers auction later this year.
DDI Executive Director Gizenga said the organization believes GemFair has the potential to “significantly transform” the artisanal mining sector by providing a secure route to market via a leading diamond company.
Located in West Africa, Sierra Leone was embroiled in a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002 that was funded in large part by the sale of conflict or “blood” diamonds; 1990s Sierra Leone, in fact, was the setting for the 2006 movie “Blood Diamond.”
Today, the DDI said the government of Sierra Leone has made “significant advancements” in formalizing artisanal mining.
There are a number of artisanal mining sites in the country participating in the DDI’s Maendeleo Diamond Standards program. Last year, one of the country’s artisanal mining sites produced a 709-carat stone dubbed the “Peace Diamond,” which was sold via a much-publicized auction to Graff Diamonds for $6.5 million. The profits reportedly are to be divvied up to help the people of Sierra Leone.
De Beers said if the GemFair program works, the technology developed for it will be integrated with the blockchain platform it’s developing, allowing the artisanal mining sector to become a part of blockchain.
In addition, miners will be trained on diamond classification so they understand the value of what they are selling.
The pre-pilot phase of GemFair launched last month and involved setting up a local presence in Sierra Leone, and working with DDI and registered mining sites to ensure standards are being met, that miners are trained on how to use the technology and that they understand diamond classification.
Once everything is place, GemFair will begin buying rough diamonds from participating miners (miners, however, are not under any obligation to sell their stones) and selling those stones via De Beers’ auction sales platform.
The goal is for rough to be available at a De Beers auction later this year.
DDI Executive Director Gizenga said the organization believes GemFair has the potential to “significantly transform” the artisanal mining sector by providing a secure route to market via a leading diamond company.
Located in West Africa, Sierra Leone was embroiled in a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002 that was funded in large part by the sale of conflict or “blood” diamonds; 1990s Sierra Leone, in fact, was the setting for the 2006 movie “Blood Diamond.”
Today, the DDI said the government of Sierra Leone has made “significant advancements” in formalizing artisanal mining.
There are a number of artisanal mining sites in the country participating in the DDI’s Maendeleo Diamond Standards program. Last year, one of the country’s artisanal mining sites produced a 709-carat stone dubbed the “Peace Diamond,” which was sold via a much-publicized auction to Graff Diamonds for $6.5 million. The profits reportedly are to be divvied up to help the people of Sierra Leone.
De Beers said if the GemFair program works, the technology developed for it will be integrated with the blockchain platform it’s developing, allowing the artisanal mining sector to become a part of blockchain.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
