International News
Jewelers of America Awards First-Ever Impact Initiative Grants to Support Industry Progress
Jewelers of America (JA) has announced the recipients of its inaugural Impact Initiative Grants, awarding funding to six jewelry trade organizations for programs designed to strengthen and advance the industry.
The selected organizations represent a mix of local and global communities and offer a wide range of initiatives focused on education, access, innovation, ethics, and sustainability. The Impact Initiative aims to empower the next generation, promote responsible practices, and elevate industry standards.
“We believe in the power of community, education, and empowerment,” said JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte. “The applicants for our first Impact Initiative share our goal to make the jewelry industry stronger. We are proud to support these six organizations and look forward to seeing their collective programs create meaningful change.”
Among the recipients:
- BIJC Education Fund received support for its Future Jewelers Academy, a program launched in 2023 to engage high school students from underrepresented communities. The academy offers hands-on training, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities in gemology, watchmaking, and jewelry design—aiming to preserve traditional craftsmanship while inspiring future careers in the trade.
- Diamonds Do Good, a nonprofit founded in 2007, was granted funds for its ongoing mission to share the positive social and environmental impact of natural diamonds. The organization highlights real-life stories of education, entrepreneurship, and development in diamond-producing communities, while promoting ethical practices across the industry.
- Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) received funding for its upcoming JSA Security Certification Program, a nationwide initiative to train jewelry professionals in critical safety and security protocols. The certification will cover physical and digital protection, robbery prevention, and emergency response, incorporating the latest techniques and insights from law enforcement.
JA’s Impact Initiative marks a significant step in fostering a more inclusive, innovative, and responsible future for the jewelry sector.
DiamondBuzz
Diamond Slump forces Debswana to diversify into copper, platinum and solar
Diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios
Debswana Diamond Company, the 50–50 joint venture between the Botswana government and De Beers, is moving to diversify into copper, platinum and renewable energy as the prolonged downturn in natural diamond demand pressures earnings and forces the industry to rethink its growth strategy.
The company’s board has approved plans to invest in a portfolio of non-diamond projects after revenue fell 46% in 2024, the latest available financial year, highlighting the scale of the downturn in the global diamond market.
The move signals a strategic shift toward commodities with stronger long-term demand fundamentals, particularly copper, which is central to global electrification and energy-transition infrastructure.
Debswana’s diversification reflects a broader industry pivot as diamond producers confront weak consumer demand, rising competition from lab-grown stones and elevated inventories across the supply chain.
The shift is also visible among smaller exploration companies. Botswana Diamonds recently rebranded as Botswana Minerals, signalling its own strategic focus on copper exploration rather than diamonds.
Together, these moves underscore a growing consensus across the sector: the era of diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios anchored in energy-transition metals.
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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.