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 31, 2014
The latest diamond industry row
I am not proud to admit it now, but I was the kind of little girl who wanted to quit games in the middle if it looked like I wasn’t going to win, a trait for which my mom, like any good mother should, always admonished me.
I remember at one point we got a Garfield novelty glass from McDonald’s that pictured the cartoon cat furiously paddling at the front of the canoe in one direction while the dog Odie paddled with just as much vigor at the other end but in the opposite direction. Above Garfield a thought bubble hovered that read, “I’m easy to get along with when things go my way,” but, in the end, the two weren’t getting anywhere. This, my mom declared, was the perfect glass to describe me.
Fast-forward a couple of decades, and I am adult, confronted with a group of adults who refuse to participate in an important event because things aren’t going their way, the latest in a continuing series of slights and fights that aren’t getting the diamond industry anywhere, just like the cat and the dog in that canoe.
As I am sure you have heard by now, a group of eight industry organizations announced this week that they wouldn’t be attending the World Diamond Council’s annual meeting, which took place this week in Antwerp.
By way of explanation, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses circulated this news release that was scant on details about why exactly the eight groups were skipping the meeting. So I reached out to a number of the groups, asking them for more details and interviews with their respective heads.
I asked: What was it that prompted you to boycott the meeting? What is the leadership of the WDC, which just named Pat Syvrud as the first executive director in its history, doing that you disagree with specifically?
What I got in return to my questions at first was a lot of runaround--people were traveling (though apparently not to Antwerp), I needed to ask this person instead of this person, why don’t you ask this organization why they said that, etc.
The only organization initially to give me any kind of answer was the WFDB itself, which said in response to my inquiry that “the following issues are being clarified.”
Among the clarifications was this: “The industry Bodies await in anticipation the outcome of the WDC AGM [annual general meeting] and the future direction the organization is
planning for itself. Once the AGM report has been studied, a formal press release will be issued by the industry bodies regarding its future relationship with the WDC.”
On Friday morning, however, I came in to a more explanatory email, relatively speaking, from India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council and the Bharat Diamond Bourse, two of the eight organizations that boycotted the WDC meeting.
The GJEPC and BDB said suggestions to broaden the “scope and focus” of the WDC’s activity beyond conflict diamonds led to the organizations’ decision to skip the meeting. They also apparently are perturbed because the WDC sent out a survey to its members in which “questions were asked that exceeded the mandate of the WDC” and did not send it out to the industry at large, meaning these organizations didn’t get to weigh in.
While WDC sources told my fellow trade journalist Rob Bates--who noted in this excellent blog posted Wednesday that this latest boycott is yet another embarrassment to the industry--that it isn’t true that the WDC is looking to expand its activities beyond conflict diamonds, I am sure the eight organizations that boycotted the meeting have their reasons for believing it to be.
My question, however, is this: why the boycott? Was that really necessary? If you have concerns about the direction the organization is taking, doesn’t it seem more effective to go to the meeting and express them, rather than skip it and circulate a vague news release that does nothing but engender resentment and negativity?
The GJEPC said in its email to me that it is “expected that open and interactive discussions will resolve the issue in near future.”
Couldn’t that have taken place at the meeting that just happened this week so the industry can move on and address other issues?
I just don’t agree with the decision by these “important sections of the industry” to boycott a meeting of an organization that’s so important. It’s no more acceptable than it was for me to quit mid-game as a child because things weren’t going the way I wanted.
On Friday morning, however, I came in to a more explanatory email, relatively speaking, from India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council and the Bharat Diamond Bourse, two of the eight organizations that boycotted the WDC meeting.
The GJEPC and BDB said suggestions to broaden the “scope and focus” of the WDC’s activity beyond conflict diamonds led to the organizations’ decision to skip the meeting. They also apparently are perturbed because the WDC sent out a survey to its members in which “questions were asked that exceeded the mandate of the WDC” and did not send it out to the industry at large, meaning these organizations didn’t get to weigh in.
While WDC sources told my fellow trade journalist Rob Bates--who noted in this excellent blog posted Wednesday that this latest boycott is yet another embarrassment to the industry--that it isn’t true that the WDC is looking to expand its activities beyond conflict diamonds, I am sure the eight organizations that boycotted the meeting have their reasons for believing it to be.
My question, however, is this: why the boycott? Was that really necessary? If you have concerns about the direction the organization is taking, doesn’t it seem more effective to go to the meeting and express them, rather than skip it and circulate a vague news release that does nothing but engender resentment and negativity?
The GJEPC said in its email to me that it is “expected that open and interactive discussions will resolve the issue in near future.”
Couldn’t that have taken place at the meeting that just happened this week so the industry can move on and address other issues?
I just don’t agree with the decision by these “important sections of the industry” to boycott a meeting of an organization that’s so important. It’s no more acceptable than it was for me to quit mid-game as a child because things weren’t going the way I wanted.
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.
