GJ Town India

  DeBeers thanks her for contributions & wishes a success    De Beers Group announced that Feriel Zerouki, Chief Trade and Industry Officer [CTIO] and member of the  Executive Committee, has decided to leave the company at the end of October 2025. Feriel joined De Beers in 2005 and has played a central role in shaping the company’s leadership in ethics, provenance and industry integrity.    She led the launch of Tracr and GemFair, two major initiatives that advanced traceability and responsible sourcing in the diamond industry, strengthening consumer confidence and setting new benchmarks for transparency and sustainability.    Beyond her work at De Beers, Feriel has led efforts to enhance the Kimberley Process and improve  transparency in mining-origin certification as President of the World Diamond Council, a role she will continue  until the end of May 2026. Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said: “Feriel has played a pivotal role in...

  New Era in Global Diamond Industry: WFDB   WFDB-President, Yoram Dvash said, I was honored to attend the 30th anniversary celebration of the Catoca mine earlier this month, an event that coincided with the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence. It was a powerful reminder of the central role African countries play in the global diamond industry—and of their growing determination to take an even larger role in shaping its future.   This sentiment was echoed when we hosted the newly elected President of Botswana, Duma Boka, along with the Ministers of Mining of Botswana, Bogolo Kenewendo, and Angola, Diamantino Azevedo, at the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) Presidents’ Meeting in June. The message they brought was loud and clear: Africa’s leading producers are committed to being active participants in the international diamond community.   Both Angola and Botswana have taken concrete steps to underline their intentions by expressing their d...

  The results presented St Petersburg International Economic Forum   The results of respective research were first presented at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum [SPIEF].   The round table dedicated to the impact of responsible consumption on the development of the international diamond market, where the statement on the complete carbon neutrality of Russian diamonds was made, was attended by high-ranking representatives of the global diamond industry, experts in the field of sustainable development and premium consumption. Participants noted the leading trend towards responsible consumption in the luxury sector against the backdrop of stable growth in global demand for luxury goods, which increases by $100 billion every 10 years.    For example, according to Bain & Company (Luxury Study 2023), the personal luxury products market positioning itself as a sustainable market (with clear environmental and social commitments), is...

  IGI announces him as, Chairman and Independent Director   The International Gemological Institute (IGI), a global authority in diamond and gemstone certification, announced the appointment of Anoop Vrajlal Mehta as Chairman and Independent Director of the IGI Board, effective June 6, 2025, subject to the approval of Shareholders.   A visionary leader and stalwart of the global diamond industry, Mehta brings over five decades of experience in shaping the Indian and international gem and jewellery landscape. He is currently the Chairman and Managing Director of Mohit Diamonds Pvt Ltd. and President of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB). He also serves on key industry bodies, including the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council. His appointment marks a significant milestone in IGI’s journey, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to excellence, transparency, and responsible growth within the gems and jewellery industry....

People of the Year 2023 released for global diamond industry   The world’s most influential and most read diamond-focussed publication Rapaport named Hon Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi among the movers and shakers of the global diamond industry in the year 2023. Other members including Vipul Shah, Chairman, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).   Gina Drosos, CEO, Signet Jewelers; Feriel Zerouki, president, World Diamond Council (WDC); Mokgweetsi Masisi, president, Botswana; Gabi Tolkowsky, Belgian diamond cutter;   were at the forefront hailed by Rapaport the most powerful/ influential people in the world to shape the future of the diamond industry.   Our People of the Year, reflect the realities of 2023, said Rapaport in its foreword. Some of these individuals were directly involved in solving the industry’s acute problems — facilitating India’s freeze on rough imports, for example, or identifying ways to adapt retail stra...