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INDUSTRY NEWS: AGA FUTURE OF DIAMONDS EVENT, DEF AT THE EMBASSY OF BOTSWANA, BIDZ.COM SOLD, MORE May 23, 2012 (0 comments)
AGA Conference To Address Future of Diamond Industry
Las Vegas, NV—The Accredited Gemologists Association will host a seminar about the future of the diamond industry on Thursday, May 31 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. The event will be held in the Jamaica Room. The panel will be moderated by Alex Grizenko, CEO of Lucent Diamonds, a renowned expert who is regarded as one of the market leaders in laboratory-grown diamonds and treated natural diamonds.
Speakers, topics, and panelists will include:
- Can We Really Rely On A Continuous Supply Of Diamonds Any More, a discussion of the future of diamond production and availability, with Howard Coopersmith, a registered professional geologist with moe than 35 years of experience in diamond deposits, project evaluation, due diligence, feasibility, development and mining.
- Tell Me That You Can Tell The Difference, a discussion about synthetic vs. natural diamonds, with Dr. James Shigley, a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Gemological Institute of America. Sophisticated grading labs can distinguish between natural and synthetic diamonds, and natural and treated color. But can all labs do it effectively? Shigley will address the question.
- So Why Are Heated Diamonds HOT, with Sonny Pope, CEO of Suncrest Diamonds, who will discuss new technologies in diamond treatments, particularly HPHT treatments.
- Will My Blue Diamond Ring Also Be My Supercomputer, with Dr. Robert C. Linares, founder of Apollo Diamonds and co-developer of the CVD synthetic diamond technology. He will address diamond applications beyond the gem and jewelry industries, as his research allows electronics and optics technology to move beyond the limitations of silicon-based devices.
- Are There People Who Prefer A Man-Made Diamond? Tom Chatham, son of crystal growing legend Carroll Chatham, began working for Chatham Created Gems in 1965. In 1993, the firm introduced created diamonds from a joint venture, and in 2001 introduced created diamonds in pink, yellow and blue, today remaining one of the leading producers of created gemstones worldwide.
- Irradiated Diamonds: An Update on The Search for Consumer-oriented Nomenclature, with Ya'akov Almor, a certified gemologist who will present an overview on the irradiated diamond issues. A strategic consultant in the international diamond, gemstone and jewelry industry, he currently serves as director of communications of CIBJO, and communications liaison of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA).
- Finally, Martin Rapaport, whose Rapaport Diamond Report is a primary source today of diamond price and market information, will speak as well. Rapaport’s company also will host its Diamond Conference on Sunday, June 3, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Mandalay Bay.
VIP Event in Washington During Kimberley Meetings Will Celebrate Diamond Industry In Botswana
New York, NY—The Diamond Empowerment Fund and the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana have invited diamond industry leaders, government officials, and business executives from throughout the world to attend a special VIP black tie event celebrating the global success of the diamond industry in Botswana. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, 1531 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC.
The event, titled Gala Salute to Botswana: “Diamonds Empower Africa” will take place during the Kimberley Process Intersessional meeting in Washington, DC.
Phyllis Bergman, president of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, said, “We are pleased to recognize the outstanding progress and sustainable impact that the diamond industry continues to have on the people and economy of Botswana as a global model of good corporate social responsibility.”
“As Botswana continues to be one of the most prosperous countries in Africa, the diamond industry comes to symbolize hope and empowerment for millions of people, and those steps forward by the industry should be highlighted,” said Russell Simmons, chairman, Diamond Empowerment Fund.
Botswana’s Ambassador, Tebelelo Seretse, reinforces the positive impact Botswana’s diamond journey has had on transforming her country to one of the best in the world. “Botswana is a beacon of hope, a true jewel of Africa. This could not have been possible without diamonds. As the country embarks on an excellence strategy in partnership with the Diamond Empowerment Fund, it has identified top students, the future leaders called Top Achievers who are sponsored at top universities to further their education to move the country to higher levels.”
A highlight of the evening will be a live auction for a spectacular six-night safari adventure for two, donated by Wilderness Safaris in Botswana, including an exclusive day tour of Diamond Trading Company Botswana’s world-class facility located in the capitol city, Gaborone. In addition, Debswana—the joint venture between De Beers and Botswana—will arrange for a private tour of the world’s richest diamond mine by value, Jwaneng, located 75 miles west of Gaborone.
Presenting sponsor for the Gala Salute to Botswana is Tiffany & Co. Support sponsors include Exelco Group, Julius Klein Group, and Leo Schachter Diamonds.
DEF’s mission is to support education initiatives in diamond-producing nations. Along with the Botswana Top Achiever Program, its beneficiaries include CIDA City Campus, South Africa’s first non-profit university to offer a four-year business degree, and the African Leadership Academy, a university preparatory school in Johannesburg, South Africa founded on the belief that ethical leadership is the key to sustainable development on the continent.
Jewelry Auction Site Bidz.com Being Acquired; Going Private
Culver City, CA—Bidz.com, an online auction retailer, is set to be acquired by the Glendon Group for 78 cents a share, reports National Jeweler. The price represents a premium over its May 16 closing price of 49 cents a share, and a special committee of Bidz.com directors unanimously approved the sale, declaring it to be in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. The firm will be taken private after the sale, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter. But it may not be a done deal, reports JCK—one analyst pegs the valuation at $1.25 per share and the Glendon agreement still allows Bidz.com to solicit alternative offers until 11:59 p.m. June 25.
DDI Chair Honored by Clark University
Worcester, MA—Ian Smillie, chair of the board of directors of the Diamond Development Initiative International (DDI), was honored this week with the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, by Clark University at its 108th commencement exercises.
The citation spoke of Smillie’s life’s work in international development, especially of his work “as a leading architect of the campaign against the blood diamond trade, and a man of deep moral courage and unwavering principle.” It also spoke of Smillie’s work in helping to create the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme., and went on to say, “Your life's work has been an inspiration to those who seek justice in the diamond industry, and more broadly, to those who seek a just solution to development and trade.”
The citation spoke about the work of the Diamond Development Initiative and concluded by saying, “Mr. Smillie, you were deservedly appointed to the order of Canada in 2003, Canada's highest civilian honor. For many around the world, and for the Clark Community, you are a hero.”
Founded in 1887 as the first all-graduate institution in the United States, Clark University is a renowned liberal arts-based research university addressing social and human imperatives on a global scale.
CIBJO to Add Member Services
Vicenza, Italy--CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has concluded its annual conference with a decision to provide added-value services to members, both national associations affiliated with the organization, as well as to its commercial members.
These include the creation of a trade show commission and a security, insurance and logistics working group, both of which will provide improved services and support for members.
The board of directors also agreed:
- To reactivate the CIBJO Ethics Commission, chaired by Cecilia Gardner, CIBJO's legal counsel and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee in the United States;
- To create a coral working group within CIBJO's Sector A to consider issues specific to coral jewelry manufacturers; and
- To establish a strategic task force, headed by Israel Diamond Institute Chairman Eli Avidar and a member of CIBJO's President's Council, to grow industry membership and strengthening CIBJO’s financial base.
The board of directors also approved a series of amendments to the organization's Blue Books of industry standards and nomenclature, as well as making them and other publications adaptable for tablets and smart phones.
CIBJO also approved a resolution supporting the World Diamond Council’s call to widen the definition of conflict diamonds in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.