International News
The Jewelry Symposium to spotlight AI, traceability, and sustainable practices
The Jewelry Symposium (TJS), formerly known as the Santa Fe Symposium, the premier international event for jewellery manufacturing technology, will convene at the Detroit Marriott Troy from 17-20 May 2025, with a focus on cutting-edge technologies and sustainability.
This year’s symposium will expand beyond its traditional focus on metallurgy and craftsmanship to address critical industry issues like responsible sourcing, AI integration, and advanced manufacturing processes.
“We had an unprecedented number of proposals and abstracts for 2025, and we are delighted that many of our respected presenters will be focusing on timely and important issues like sustainability and technology,” says Linus Drogs, TJS Chairman of the Board. “We are grateful to the experts who will be sharing the latest information on CAD, AI, and additive manufacturing (3-D printing), as well as the group of professionals focused on sustainability related to a responsible supply chain and the tracing of coloured gemstones.”
The symposium will feature presentations from leading experts worldwide, catering to a diverse audience of bench jewellers, designers, manufacturers, students, retailers, and press. Among the technology-focused sessions, Scott Bradford of Gesswein will explore CAD techniques and software for enhanced jewellery design, while Jenny Luker of the Platinum Guild International (PGI) will unveil a new platinum alloy. Consultant Anne Miller will delve into the potential of generative AI, and Joseph Strauss of HJE Company, Inc. will discuss advancements in sinter-based 3-D printing.
Sustainability and ethical sourcing will also take centre stage, with Eric Branwaurt of Columbia Gem House and consultant Frank Cooper examining the traceability of coloured gemstones.
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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