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WDC President urges KP to ‘cross the line’ on modernized definition of conflict diamonds

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Feriel Zerouki, President of the World Diamond Council (WDC), opened the 2025 Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary with a decisive call for participants to support a modernized definition of “conflict diamonds,” marking a pivotal moment for the international certification scheme.

Feriel Zerouki

Zerouki highlighted three years of hard work, drafting and negotiation led by the WDC and honoured the leadership of African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) and Civil Society Coalition. “It is clear that Africa wants progress,” she said.

The 2025 Kimberley Process Plenary is being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 17 to 22 November, hosted under the chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates, which holds the KP Chair for the 2025 cycle.

The Plenary brings together representatives from 86 participating governments, the World Diamond Council, the Civil Society Coalition, the African Diamond Producers Association, and a wide range of observer organizations and technical experts.

Over the course of the week, delegates will review the work of KP working groups, negotiate the proposed expansion of the conflict-diamond definition, and address governance, monitoring and compliance issues that shape the integrity of the global rough-diamond trade.

The WDC President, whose term will end in May 2026, stressed that the expanded definition would extend protection to 1.5 million artisanal diamond miners and allow KP intervention where communities are vulnerable.

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Richemont and Signet Jewelers Could Join Global Diamond Consortium In Bid For De Beers

Richemont, Signet Would Connect The Consortium To Key Global Growth Vectors Spanning Luxury High Jewelry and Mass-Market Retail.

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The Global Diamond Consortium (GDC)

Richemont and Signet Jewelers are reported to be in talks about joining the Global Diamond Consortium (GDC), the preferred bidder for De Beers according to a Bloomberg News report.

​GDC was selected in July 2026 as one of Anglo American’s preferred bidders for De Beers as part of Anglo American’s ongoing corporate restructuring. 

​The potential inclusion of Richemont—owner of luxury Maisons including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels—and Signet Jewelers—the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating brands such as Kay Jewelers, Zales, and Jared—would connect the consortium to key global growth vectors spanning luxury high jewelry and mass-market retail. 

​Strengthening the Natural Diamond Ecosystem: Participation by major luxury brands and global retail leaders reinforces commitment across the entire value chain—from responsible mining and manufacturing to consumer engagement. 

​Balanced Governance Structure: Discussions center on potential minority equity positions that would support long-term category growth while maintaining appropriate separation between ownership and commercial strategy.

​Broad Stakeholder Participation: The consortium continues to advance talks with host governments, including discussions with the Government of Botswana regarding a potential increase in its equity share in De Beers from 15% to approximately 25%, alongside participation from private investors and southern African host nations. 

​​Discussions between GDC, Richemont, Signet, and participating government stakeholders remain ongoing. Terms of any potential participation, including the size of equity interests, have not been finalized and remain subject to regulatory approvals and definitive documentation. 

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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.

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