This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
KP Chair Visits the Central African Republic
Ahmed Bin Sulayem is reportedly the first acting KP chairman to pay a visit to the nation, which only recently was allowed to begin exporting diamonds again.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--Kimberley Process Chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem recently paid an in-person visit to the Central African Republic, the nation that was just allowed to resume rough diamond exports.
During his trip, Bin Sulayem, who represents Dubai in the KP, visited the diamond-producing areas of Carnot (in the prefecture of Mambéré-Kadéï), Boda (in the prefecture of Lobaye) and Nola (in the prefecture of Sangha-Mbaéré), all located in the south of the country.
He also met with both CAR’s newly elected president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, and Leopold Mboli Fratran, the country’s newly appointed minister of mines.
In a KP news release on the visit, Touadéra praised Bin Sulayem’s efforts as KP chair, noting that his visit “brings hope to our long-suffering diamond industry.”
He also said that the Central African Republic looks to fully reintegrate itself into the international diamond trade as soon as possible.
After a three-year hiatus due to rebel violence, the KP recently OK’ed the resumption of diamond exports from Berbérati, one area of the Central African Republic, which is among the poorest countries in the world and depends heavily on revenues from rough diamond sales. The first shipment totaled approximately 3,700 carats.
Exports from other areas of the country have not yet been given the green light, and the KP said in the release that they will resume only if those areas can be considered KP compliant, though Bin Sulayem noted that the effective resumption of exports from CAR is one of the “main priorities” of his KP chairmanship.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.


Two existing executives have been given new roles.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.