DiamondBuzz
JA, key industry persons met Washington officials on concerns about Russian sanctions
Jewelers of America (JA) and key industry figures met with lawmakers in Washington, DC, last week to express their concerns about plans for sanctions on Russian diamonds.
Jewelers of America (JA) and key industry figures met with lawmakers in Washington, DC, last week to express their concerns about plans for sanctions on Russian diamonds.
“JA has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, and this visit to Washington, DC, was a critical step to ensure we minimize unnecessary disruptions to the US diamond industry,” JA president and CEO David Bonaparte said in a statement Tuesday. “We are very concerned about the additional requirements that could take effect on September 1.”
These would include adopting a European Union proposal forcing all 0.50-carat and larger diamonds destined for Group of Seven (G7) markets to pass through a single import channel in Belgium, Bonaparte noted.
JA supports efforts to keep diamonds of Russian origin out of the supply chain, including the more stringent rules that went into effect on March 1, it said. These require importers to self-certify that diamonds of 1 carat or larger are not Russian, notwithstanding their having been manufactured in a third country.
However, mandating physical verification and certification in Belgium for all rough diamonds “would cause maximum damage to the global diamond and jewelry supply chain, while having minimal effect on Russia’s diamond revenues,” JA argued in the statement.
Joining Bonaparte on the visit were Jon Bridge, chairman and counsel emeritus at Ben Bridge Jeweler; Dave Meleski, president and CEO of Richline Group; Matthew Swibel, vice president for sustainability and social impact at Signet Jewelers; and Ronnie VanderLinden, immediate past president of the Diamond Manufacturers Importers Association of America (DMIA) and president of the International Diamond
DiamondBuzz
Botswana Says Stable Relationship With De Beers Vital to Diamond Recovery
Botswana Also Wanted to Move Further up the Diamond Value Chain, While Reducing its Economic Dependence on Diamonds Through Manufacturing, Energy, Agriculture, Tourism and Financial Services
Botswana Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe said a stable relationship with De Beers was crucial to the recovery of the natural diamond market, warning that uncertainty over the partnership had created an opening for lab-grown diamonds.
Speaking at Chatham House on Sept. 17, Gaolathe said Botswana and De Beers had historically worked together during market downturns through rough-diamond stockpiling and marketing.
His comments come as Anglo American seeks to sell its 85% stake in De Beers. Botswana has signalled an interest in increasing its role in the diamond company.Gaolathe said, however, that Botswana’s ambitions went beyond simply increasing its ownership. After decades in the diamond industry, the country had developed expertise across the value chain,
Botswana currently owns 15% of De Beers, while Anglo American is seeking to sell its 85% stake. Botswana has indicated it wants a larger role but would not risk its finances simply to increase ownership, Gaolathe said.
He said Botswana also wanted to move further up the diamond value chain, while reducing its economic dependence on diamonds through manufacturing, energy, agriculture, tourism and financial services.
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