TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
