SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
EditorsOct 22, 2014
Ebola and the artisanal sector
Last week I had the chance to talk with Dorothée Gizenga, executive director of the Diamond Development Initiative, about how the Ebola outbreak is impacting the lives and livelihoods of the artisanal diamond diggers the organization aids.
There, the DDI is working to create the Development Diamond Standards by training diggers on sound social and environmental practices and then helping them apply these practices. The sites where they work then are verified and certified by an independent third party as having produced ethical diamonds, and the DDI connects the miners with buyers in order to establish a chain of custody.
“That’s the project we have in place,” Gizenga said. “We want to make sure the artisanal miners are not marginalized in this big move for ethical sourcing.”
She said so far five sites, all in the Kono district of Sierra Leone, have been certified as ethical. The DDI wants to certify more sites in Kono, and expand the program to Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, but those plans are on hold due to the Ebola outbreak, as are its current activities in Sierra Leone.
As noted in this thought-provoking piece on the Kono District, the country’s ban on groups of people gathering has pretty much brought the diamond mining sector there to a standstill, impacting not only those who mine diamonds but those who are involved in dealing, trading and transporting the stones.
As of Oct. 17, the World Health Organization reported that there was a total of 9,216 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola in seven countries. Of those, 3,410 are in Sierra Leone. The country is second only to Liberia in terms of the scope of the outbreak.
Gizenga said all members of her staff in Sierra Leone, which is entirely comprised of locals, are safe and well. But she worries what will happen when trade returns to the country.
[caption id="attachment_2566" align="alignright" width="593"]
With no new kimberlite pipes discovered in the last 20 years, the world’s reliance on the stones found by artisanal diggers in countries like Sierra Leone, which produces very high-quality diamonds, has increased. To wit: according to statistics compiled by the Kimberley Process, Sierra Leone exported
633,232 carats of diamonds last year worth $295.54 per carat, which is a good price, one diamond dealer told me.
Gizenga said the Ebola crisis will have an impact on the enforcement issues the trade has worked so hard to implement in these countries, particularly as it relates to smuggling.
In addition to almost--but not entirely--bringing mining to a halt, the disease also has suspended trading, which means that when trading does resume there’ll be a glut of diamonds in the market, which is expected to depress prices and lead some to smuggle diamonds out of Sierra Leone, as people who have been struggling with little or no income for some time seek to liquidate them by any means necessary.
For those diamonds not taken out of the country, who will buy them? Will there be new buyers or will the old buyers return? Who will operate in this vacuum state that has been created?
Gizenga said these all are questions that remain to be answered. “I think it’s unknown at this point,” exactly just how big of an impact Ebola will have on the diamond industry, she said. “The longer it (the crisis) lasts, the bigger the impact.”
The DDI’s employees in Sierra Leone currently are gathering sanitizing supplies for distribution by local civil society partners in mining areas. Gizenga said anyone who wants to donate to DDI and their local partners to help stop the spread of Ebola in local artisanal mining communities can do so by sending an email to enquiries@ddiglobal.org, specifying that they want to donate funds for the fight against Ebola.
There is also the Humanitarian Coalition comprised of Oxfam, Care, Plan and Save the Children that is accepting donations to help the countries affected by Ebola more generally.
Gizenga said the Ebola crisis will have an impact on the enforcement issues the trade has worked so hard to implement in these countries, particularly as it relates to smuggling.
In addition to almost--but not entirely--bringing mining to a halt, the disease also has suspended trading, which means that when trading does resume there’ll be a glut of diamonds in the market, which is expected to depress prices and lead some to smuggle diamonds out of Sierra Leone, as people who have been struggling with little or no income for some time seek to liquidate them by any means necessary.
For those diamonds not taken out of the country, who will buy them? Will there be new buyers or will the old buyers return? Who will operate in this vacuum state that has been created?
Gizenga said these all are questions that remain to be answered. “I think it’s unknown at this point,” exactly just how big of an impact Ebola will have on the diamond industry, she said. “The longer it (the crisis) lasts, the bigger the impact.”
The DDI’s employees in Sierra Leone currently are gathering sanitizing supplies for distribution by local civil society partners in mining areas. Gizenga said anyone who wants to donate to DDI and their local partners to help stop the spread of Ebola in local artisanal mining communities can do so by sending an email to enquiries@ddiglobal.org, specifying that they want to donate funds for the fight against Ebola.
There is also the Humanitarian Coalition comprised of Oxfam, Care, Plan and Save the Children that is accepting donations to help the countries affected by Ebola more generally.
More on Editors
The Latest
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
