CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
SourcingFeb 27, 2018
Lucara Elevates 2 Women to Leadership Positions
Eira Thomas is the diamond miner’s new CEO while co-founder Catherine McLeod Seltzer joins the board of directors.
Eira Thomas is the new CEO of Lucara Diamond Corp., replacing the retiring William Lamb. Lucara operates the Karowe mine in Botswana.
Vancouver--Lucara, the company that recovered a 1,109-carat diamond in Botswana, announced Monday that it has a new CEO.
Eira Thomas, a co-founder of the mining company, is taking over for William Lamb, who is retiring from Lucara and also stepping down from its board of directors.
Joining the board is another of the company’s co-founders, Catherine McLeod Seltzer, the current chair of Bear Creek Mining Corp. and a director of Kinross Gold.
Thomas has more than 25 years’ experience in the mining industry, most recently serving as CEO of Kaminak Gold Corp. before its 2017 acquisition by Goldcorp for $520 million.
She spent 16 years with Aber Diamond Corporation (now Dominion Diamond), where she moved up from geologist to vice president of exploration to a director of the board. She also was a co-founder and, later, CEO and executive chairman of Canadian miner Stornoway Diamond Corp.
Thomas started Lucara in 2007 with Seltzer and Lukas Lundin, and stayed on as a director.
Lamb has been CEO of Lucara since April 2008, during which time the Karowe mine has become one of the world’s highest-margin diamond mines and a major producer of large, Type IIA stones.
In addition to the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, which sold for $53 million last fall, the mine also produced the 813-carat Constellation Diamond, which went for a record $63.1 million.
During Lamb’s tenure, the company also adopted both autogenous milling and the use of X-ray transmission sorters to ensure big diamonds weren’t broken up during the sorting process.
Also on Monday, Lucara announced its acquisition of Clara Diamond Solutions Corp. for $29 million.
Clara is a digital platform that uses algorithms to match up rough diamond production with polished manufacturing demands on a stone-by-stone basis.
Lucara said the platform can be integrated with blockchain technology. It also noted that the platform can eliminate the need for fixed sales cycles, which would reduce carrying costs across the supply chain.
It said it plans to begin using Clara in the coming months with a selection of rough from the Karowe mine.
After that, Lucara will scale the system to accommodate rough diamonds from other companies.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
