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
Alrosa Launches Its First Long-Term Natural Diamond Promotion Programme Extending Through 2030
The Programme Brings Together Generic Marketing, Consumer Awareness Initiatives, Retail Support and Policy Advocacy To Reinforce The Value Proposition Of Natural Diamonds
Alrosa has launched its first long-term Natural Diamond Promotion Programme extending through 2030, marking a strategic effort to strengthen consumer demand for natural diamonds across major global jewellery markets.
The programme and policy advocacy to reinforce the value proposition of natural diamonds. Central to the strategy is the promotion of qualities such as rarity, authenticity, individuality, emotional significance and lasting value.
Designed as an omnichannel initiative, the programme will leverage digital platforms, in-store experiences and targeted consumer engagement campaigns. Alrosa plans to focus particularly on markets within the BRICS and Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) regions, with Millennials and Gen Z consumers identified as key audiences. The strategy also seeks to encourage new purchasing occasions, including self-gifting and milestone celebrations.
A significant pillar of the programme is consumer education aimed at clarifying the distinctions between natural and synthetic diamonds. Planned actions include support for consistent industry terminology, transparent product disclosure and enhanced detection capabilities at the retail level to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
Pavel Marinychev, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Alrosa, said:

“A natural diamond is a symbol of authenticity and significant lifetime moments. Our goal is to protect the unique properties of natural diamonds, honestly explain the differences between them and alternatives to consumers, help them make informed choices, and ultimately invest in the future and sustainable development of our entire category: from diamond mining to retail.”
The initiative complements recently introduced Russian regulations that require laboratory-grown products to be marketed as “synthetic” and restrict the use of traditional diamond terminology and grading standards for such products.
According to Alrosa, the programme is designed to support stakeholders across the diamond pipeline—from mining and manufacturing to retail—while enhancing consumer confidence and fostering sustainable long-term demand for natural diamond.
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