Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Jean-Marc Lieberherr Leaving Rio Tinto
He is being replaced by Simon Trott, the managing director of Rio Tinto’s salt and uranium businesses.
Perth, Australia--Jean-Marc Lieberherr is leaving Rio Tinto after a decade in the company’s diamonds business, in what Rio Tinto described as a restructuring of its Diamonds & Minerals group.
He also is on the World Diamond Council board of directors and is the chairman of the Diamond Producers Association, the group that came together earlier this year and works to increase demand for mined diamonds among consumers, particularly millennials.
RELATED CONTENT: The DPA and the Potential to Love Diamonds
When contacted by National Jeweler Tuesday, Lieberherr declined to comment on his future plans.
Replacing Lieberherr is Simon Trott, who has been managing director of Rio Tinto’s salt and uranium business since March 2015 and will retain that position even as he assumes responsibility for the diamonds unit.
Trott has more than 18 years of experience in the mining industry.
In announcing the transition, Rio Tinto Diamonds & Minerals Chief Executive Alan Davies stressed that there is “no change” in the company’s commitment to the diamond industry, its customers and other industry partners.
Diamonds, however, remain a very small percentage of Rio Tinto’s overall business and is one the miner has tried to divest in the past, only to later drop those plans.
Last year, the Rio Tinto sold its stake in the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe. It still has the Argyle mine in Australia, a 60 percent stake in the Diavik Mine in Canada and the Bunder diamond exploration project in India.
The Latest

Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.

The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show


A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Around 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.

The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.