TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingJun 09, 2016
Civil society orgs boycotting Kimberley Process
The organizations that comprise the KP’s Civil Society Coalition confirmed Tuesday that they won’t be participating in any organized KP events as long as the United Arab Emirates is chair.
Luanda, Angola--The 11 organizations that comprise the Kimberley Process’s Civil Society Coalition confirmed Tuesday what has been inevitable for several months--that they will boycott the KP next year due to their objections over the United Arab Emirates’ impending election as chair.
Back in September, when it was announced that the UAE had been elected vice chair and thereby was in line to chair the KP in 2016, Partnership Africa Canada’s Alan Martin told National Jeweler that a boycott by the Civil Society Coalition was the most likely scenario heading into 2016.
This week, the coalition’s representative from Cameroon, Jaff Napoleon Bamenjo, confirmed it in a speech given Tuesday as the KP plenary meeting got underway in Luanda.
Calling the UAE the “go-to place for illicit gold and diamonds” and Dubai an “ethics-free haven,” Bamenjo brought up the same concerns that civil society has been expressing about the UAE for some time--that it is too lax in its controls regarding diamonds emanating from problematic areas of the world and that UAE companies engage in transfer pricing.
Transfer pricing refers to the practices of undervaluing a resource--in this case, African diamonds--in order to make more money and reduce tax liabilities while, at the same time, depriving local governments of the true value of their resources.
Bamenjo said despite the UAE’s commitment to working with civil society on at least two collaborative projects, the two haven’t had any discussions since the KP’s intersessional meeting in June.
He said the coalition doesn’t have any confidence in the UAE as chair and, if its nomination is formalized, it will be “sending a message that civil society is no longer a meaningful and respected partner [in the KP].”
The UAE fired back on Tuesday, releasing a statement calling the coalition’s public remarks “an unacceptable account of industry matters, baseless and factually flawed.”
It also produced two emails to refute the coalition’s claim that the UAE hasn’t been in touch since the intersessional, which took place June 22 to 26.
One was a request for a meeting dated Aug. 30. The second, which was about conducting a study on supply chain due diligence for diamonds, was dated June 23, meaning it was sent during the intersessional, not after it.
When asked about these emails, a UAE spokeswoman acknowledged that the study email was indeed sent during the intersessional, but said the UAE KP’s
team question is this: Why hasn’t the coalition been in touch with them to follow up on the study proposal?
The UAE said while it was disappointed that the Civil Society Coalition will be boycotting the KP in 2016, it remains open to working with civil society or any industry organization in a position to contribute “fairly and transparently” to discussions on the KP.
As KP chair next year, the UAE said it will “carry on with our mandate and focus on areas that will have the greatest impact on growth and development of the diamond industry. We remain fully committed and respect the tripartite structure of the Kimberley Process.”
The KP’s Civil Society Coalition is comprised of 11 international and community-based organizations, nine of which are based in Africa.
While the coalition plans to boycott formal KP events in 2016, it said it plans to continue to work with KP participants and members of the diamond industry on matters of mutual concern and redouble its efforts on national-level engagement with KP participants.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
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.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
