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
DMCC To Host Second Edition Of Dubai Diamond Week This October As Global Diamond Industry Convenes In Dubai
- Dubai Diamond Week returns for its second edition from 26 to 29 October 2026, organised by DMCC, Informa Markets and Italian Exhibition Group (IEG)
- Dubai Diamond Conference and Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD) to combine strategic dialogue with the Middle East’s leading international sourcing platform
- Thousands of leaders from government, mining, manufacturing, retail, finance and technology to gather in Dubai
- Dubai’s record USD 41.7 billion diamond trade reinforces its position as the world’s leading meeting place for the international diamond industry
DMCC, the leading international business district that drives the flow of global trade through Dubai, today announced the return of Dubai Diamond Week for its second edition, bringing together the global diamond industry at one of the most significant periods in its history. Taking place from 26 to 29 October 2026, the programme will convene governments, producers, manufacturers, retailers, traders, investors and technology leaders for four days of strategic dialogue, international trade and commercial engagement.
Centred around DMCC’s flagship Dubai Diamond Conference (DDC), now in its seventh edition, and Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD), the Middle East’s only B2B exhibition dedicated exclusively to the international jewellery industry, Dubai Diamond Week combines high-level industry dialogue with the region’s leading international sourcing platform. Together, the two events connect every stage of the global diamond and jewellery value chain, creating a unique platform where strategic discussions translate into commercial opportunity through international sourcing, dealmaking and business development.
At a time when the diamond industry is navigating a complex set of market dynamics, including changing consumer demand, supply-side reordering and technological innovation, Dubai Diamond Week 2026 will provide the global platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and identify new opportunities for long-term growth.
The announcement builds on Dubai’s continued rise as the world’s leading hub for the international diamond trade. Earlier this month, DMCC announced that Dubai’s diamond trade reached a record USD 41.7 billion in 2025, supported by its precious stones ecosystem that has grown to almost 1,400 companies through the Dubai Diamond Exchange, the world’s largest diamond tender facility. Reflecting the focus of Dubai Diamond Week 2026, the vast majority of this trade comprises natural diamonds. Together, these strengths have established Dubai as the global meeting place for the diamond industry and the natural home for its most important international gathering.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said:
“With a record USD 41.7 billion in diamond trade in 2025, Dubai has firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading centres for the global diamond and precious stones trade. As the industry continues to undergo profound structural change, the need has never been greater for a trusted platform that brings together every part of the value chain to exchange ideas, build consensus and unlock new commercial opportunities.

Dubai has become the place where the global diamond industry convenes to trade, collaborate and shape its future, and Dubai Diamond Week reflects that leadership. With the seventh edition of the Dubai Diamond Conference providing the strategic agenda and Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai serving as its commercial pillar, the 2026 Dubai Diamond Week will create one of the most sought-after platforms for global industry dialogue, paired with tangible business opportunities. Together, we continue to create the conditions for the industry to build resilience and navigate its next chapter.”
Adding to that, Margaret Ma Connolly, President & CEO of Informa Markets Asia, said:

“Bringing JGTD and the Dubai Diamond Conference together in the same week creates something truly valuable − a complete industry experience where sourcing meets strategy and business meets big-picture thinking. Our exhibitors and visitors gain direct access to the conversations shaping the future of this sector while conference delegates can explore the latest products and innovations on the ground. It’s the kind of synergy that only happens when you align the right events at the right time in the right place.”
Marco Carniello, Chief Business Officer of Italian Exhibition Group, said:
“Built on flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the market, the alignment of the Dubai Diamond Conference and Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai brings together two complementary initiatives supported by DMCC and by the strong engagement of the organisers Informa and IEG together with leading industry partners. Diamonds and gemstones are at the very heart of this convergence, at the centre of a truly international B2B marketplace.

As the reference hub for the jewellery and gems industry in the Middle East and beyond — smart in format and genuinely attentive to companies’ needs — it sets the stage for high-quality engagement and meaningful exchange among global industry leaders and international buyers. Dubai, with its established vocation as a global hub for investment, business and long-term relationships, provides the natural setting.”
The Dubai Diamond Conference will open Dubai Diamond Week on 26 October with a newly refined programme focused on the commercial and strategic priorities shaping the future of the natural diamond industry. Held under the theme “Diamond 2.0: A Strategic Reset – Reigniting Desire, Unlocking New Value”, the conference will explore new approaches to strengthening long-term demand growth for natural diamond jewellery, leveraging emerging technologies and unlocking new sources of value creation. A programme of bilateral meetings, company showcase presentations and guided tours of Almas Tower and the Dubai Diamond Exchange on 27 October will extend these discussions into practical business engagement.
Running from 27 to 29 October at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD), organised by Informa Markets and Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), is the Middle East’s only B2B exhibition dedicated exclusively to the international jewellery industry. Now in its fifth edition, JGTD has established itself as the region’s leading sourcing platform for diamonds, coloured gemstones, finished jewellery, jewellery technology and advanced manufacturing equipment, attracting manufacturers, suppliers, traders, retailers and buyers from across the global jewellery value chain.
Supported by DMCC as Official Partner and the Dubai Jewellery Group as Industry Partner, JGTD represents the commercial pillar of Dubai Diamond Week, complementing the strategic dialogue of the Dubai Diamond Conference with unparalleled opportunities for international sourcing, business development and trade. Together, the two events create the industry’s most comprehensive platform for commercial collaboration and thought leadership, further cementing Dubai’s position as the world’s leading hub for the international diamond, gemstone and jewellery industries.
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