MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
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
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
SourcingJul 14, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to SeattleThe trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
