MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
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.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 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.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 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 & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
