SourcingMar 09, 2021
De Beers Group on How It Will Achieve Gender Parity by 2030Policies & IssuesMay 25, 2021
Oxford Decides Not to Remove Cecil Rhodes Statue
Instead, Oriel College said it will enact initiatives to contextualize its relationship with the De Beers founder and British imperialist.
Oxford, U.K.—England’s prestigious University of Oxford said it has decided against removing a statue of Cecil Rhodes from one of its buildings, ending a 10-month inquiry sparked by protests last summer.
Last June, the public took to the streets in the U.K. to demand the university’s Oriel College take down a statue of the De Beers founder.
Rhodes was a central figure in British imperialism at the end of the 1800s, encouraging the empire to take control of vast swaths of southern Africa.
He attended Oriel College in the 1870s. After his death in 1902, he left money to Oxford and endowed the sought-after international scholarships that still bear his name, the Rhodes Scholarship.
The subject of his statue’s removal arose as protests ignited worldwide in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, sparked by the killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky.
When the protests began last summer, De Beers said it supported the removal of its founder’s statue.
“Symbols matter, and we will not achieve equality, social justice, and healing unless those bearing symbols of inequality, injustice and pain take them down,” the company said in a statement to National Jeweler at the time.
The governors of Oriel College also said the school should take down the statue.
Last June, the public took to the streets in the U.K. to demand the university’s Oriel College take down a statue of the De Beers founder.
Rhodes was a central figure in British imperialism at the end of the 1800s, encouraging the empire to take control of vast swaths of southern Africa.
He attended Oriel College in the 1870s. After his death in 1902, he left money to Oxford and endowed the sought-after international scholarships that still bear his name, the Rhodes Scholarship.
The subject of his statue’s removal arose as protests ignited worldwide in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, sparked by the killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky.
When the protests began last summer, De Beers said it supported the removal of its founder’s statue.
“Symbols matter, and we will not achieve equality, social justice, and healing unless those bearing symbols of inequality, injustice and pain take them down,” the company said in a statement to National Jeweler at the time.
The governors of Oriel College also said the school should take down the statue.
Embed from Getty Images
The school’s governing body established an independent commission to consider the issues being raised, which recently delivered its report resulting from a 10-month inquiry.
After considering the commission’s findings, as well as considering insights from experts and written contributions from students, alumni, academics and the public, the governing body said in a statement it has decided not to remove the statue.
However, it voted to accept several of the report’s recommendations.
The commission’s report reiterated its desire to remove the statue but also acknowledged the “complex challenges and costs presented by its removal in terms of heritage and planning consent,” according to the statement from the governing body about its decision and reasoning.
“The Governing Body has carefully considered the regulatory and financial challenges, including the expected time frame for removal, which could run into years with no certainty of outcome, together with the total cost of removal.”
Related stories will be right here …
However, it voted to accept several of the report’s recommendations.
The commission’s report reiterated its desire to remove the statue but also acknowledged the “complex challenges and costs presented by its removal in terms of heritage and planning consent,” according to the statement from the governing body about its decision and reasoning.
“The Governing Body has carefully considered the regulatory and financial challenges, including the expected time frame for removal, which could run into years with no certainty of outcome, together with the total cost of removal.”
(Because of its location on the façade of a heritage building that also bears Rhodes’ name, removal of the statue would have to involve the city council, Historic England, and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.)
The college’s governing body said it will instead focus on recommendations made by the commission regarding the “contextualization” of the college’s relationship with Rhodes and on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in its student body and academic community.
These include creating a tutor position for diversity, equity, and inclusion, additional staff training in race awareness, outreach initiatives for BIPOC student recruitment, and fundraising for scholarships to support students from southern Africa.
The college said it will devote funds equivalent to what remains of the Rhodes legacy toward the initiatives. Work to enact the measures is expected to start immediately.
Additionally, the commission will establish a task force to oversee implementation of these initiatives, organize a virtual exhibition for the contextualization and explanation of the Rhodes legacy and other relevant issues, and provide a contextualization of the statue, including physical elements at the site and digital resources.
The college’s governing body said it will instead focus on recommendations made by the commission regarding the “contextualization” of the college’s relationship with Rhodes and on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in its student body and academic community.
These include creating a tutor position for diversity, equity, and inclusion, additional staff training in race awareness, outreach initiatives for BIPOC student recruitment, and fundraising for scholarships to support students from southern Africa.
The college said it will devote funds equivalent to what remains of the Rhodes legacy toward the initiatives. Work to enact the measures is expected to start immediately.
Additionally, the commission will establish a task force to oversee implementation of these initiatives, organize a virtual exhibition for the contextualization and explanation of the Rhodes legacy and other relevant issues, and provide a contextualization of the statue, including physical elements at the site and digital resources.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
