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Las Vegas, NV--The House of Botswana, a new initiative by the Botswana diamond industry, held discussions at the Natural Diamond Club’s at Yardbird Table & Bar at the Venetian during JCK Las Vegas. 

Botswana President Advocate, Duma Gideon Boko (pictured), led the event.

“For over five decades Botswana diamonds have played an extraordinary role in the world’s most treasured moments. They have marked engagements, anniversaries, and achievements. But more importantly they have funded schools, infrastructure, and opportunity for generations of Batswana,” Boko said. “We want consumers around the world to see our diamonds and think: ‘This is a natural diamond. This is a Botswana diamond. This is a diamond with purpose.’” 

The keynote speech and fireside chat was followed by a panel discussion led by Botswana’s Minister of Minerals & Energy, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, and moderated by Robb Report’s Paige Reddinger. “We are pedestaling natural diamonds,” Kenewendo said. “There is no competition with synthetics. We have different places in the industry and ours is at the top of luxury.” 

She also reinforced the importance of consumer confidence in shaping a more ethical, transparent and inclusive industry: “It’s very important for our consumers to understand what they are buying and ensure that that differentiation is a part of that defense.”