REVENUE FROM DIAMONDS IS SET TO CONTRIBUTE US$600 MILLION TO FISCUS THIS YEAR.
The diplomats will visit four companies, Mbada, Marange Resources, Diamond Mining Corporation (DMC) and Anjin. They will also visit the ZRP Diamond Base.
Diamonds from Marange have courted controversy amid calls by civil society organisations that there is no transparency in the marketing of the gems.
Finance minister Tendai Biti has been complaining that Anjin has not been remitting money to treasury. Anjin is a joint venture between the Chinese and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
Biti has said despite claims that the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) owns Anjin, the state entity had no equity in the diamond producer.
A hot-button topic in today’s diamond industry is the practice of extending credit to customers.
In several impassioned “State of the Diamond Industry” addresses, Rapaport Group Chairman Martin Rapaport said the jewelry industry cannot extend credit to customers anymore, and made clear his feelings on buying diamonds on credit (‘credit memo’).
“I’m going to blast the hell out of credit,” Rapaport said before launching into his tirade. “It makes me want to throw up.” He said that we simply cannot sell to people on credit anymore, and that diamonds at all levels of the trade must be sold to “real” buyers who actually have the money to pay for them.
“You need real people with real money,” he said. “We can’t memo our way out of the recession.”
“If you don’t have the money and are not a player we love you, but you’re not a player.”
The diamond market relies too heavily on credit to finance the jewelry sector, and hurts it when stores file for bankruptcy as happens all too frequently in today’s economy.
“Just say no to memo and encourage cash purchases”. The jewelry industry must avoid those who are not financially capable of buying stones and paying their debts.
“You don’t have money, go screw yourself. That’s the bottom line,” Rapaport said, a statement that drew a hearty round of applause from the audience.
DCLA would like to help legitimate industry members protect their money and time by limiting bad payments and default debtors. As a central hub in the Australian market, DCLA is happy to verify and give good credit information to industry members.
Diamond dealers and jewellers are also welcome to call and receive information on companies or individuals having defaulted on a payment.
Also, please note that DCLA will be closing all customer credit accounts outstanding for a period greater than 60 days.
The American Gem Society, in partnership with Verichannel, announced today the launch of a specialized search engine for diamonds graded by AGS Lab, available from AGS suppliers.
The online service is integrated into the members only section of the AGS website, and is also accessible to AGS members from the Verichannel platform itself. “AGS Diamond Search” consists of a database of stones uploaded by AGS suppliers, and also stones uploaded directly from the AGS Lab, immediately after being graded, based on permissions set by the supplier. They are searchable using standard criteria of color, clarity, shape, etc. AGS retailers contact suppliers directly to initiate a purchase.
“We’re very pleased to be able to make this resource available as a member benefit for AGS retailers and suppliers,” said Ruth Batson, AGS Chief Executive Officer. It makes sense to give our retail store buyers the most convenient means possible of finding AGS stones from AGS suppliers, essentially all in one place, and right there at our website.”
“We have already uploaded hundreds of stones into the AGS Diamond Search,” said Charles Rosario, Senior Vice President of Lazare Kaplan International Inc., an AGS supplier. “Given that this is a very targeted and exclusive environment, it provides a means of reaching out to AGS stores directly and efficiently.”
Verichannel created the concept of labs uploading diamonds online, immediately after being graded, when it launched its Daily Diamond Report service in January. “The same technology is being used for AGS Diamond Search,” noted Jacques Voorhees, president of Verichannel. “In today’s diamond market, buyers and sellers need to be able to communicate with each other as efficiently as possible, especially when it comes to finding the right diamond, and finding it quickly.”
“At the AGS Lab, we provide a direct feed of freshly graded diamonds to Verichannel’s database, with authorization from suppliers,” explained Peter Yantzer, Executive Director of Gemological Services for the AGS Lab. “These then instantly become part of the AGS Diamond Search system on the AGS website. It’s the fastest way imaginable to get a stone to market.”
“AGS Diamond Search will be a big time saver,” noted AGS retailer Tom Wright, of Wright’s Jewelers, Lincoln, Nebraska. “We’ll begin using this resource as soon as we’re back from Conclave.”
More information on AGS Diamond Search is available at www.ags.org and also at www.Verichannel.com.
Diamond buying made easy…register now for the next 2-3 hour hands-on workshop covering diamond quality and diamond buying taught by the Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia.
DCLA diamond experts will walk participants through How to Buy a Diamond during a 2-3 hour in-house workshop located at the actual DCLA Laboratory.
Diamond Buying workshop topics include:
•Detailed explanation and hands-on evaluation of the 4C’s of diamond grading. Participants will take part in the grading process to learn how the quality and value of a diamond are established. This includes how the diamond shape, cut quality, colour, clarity, carat weight, fluorescence, and transparency affect the price of a diamond.
•Choosing the diamond shape, size, and quality right for you
•How to shop for a diamond and questions to ask jewellers
•How to read, understand, and compare Diamond Grading Certificates when shopping
•Explanation and identification of diamond treatments, and how they affect value
•Explanation and identification of synthetic diamonds, and how they affect value
Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the workshop.
Spacing is limited, contact DCLA on 1300 66 3252(DCLA) to register and reserve your place.
After seven years at the helm, the outgoing directors are handing over control of the DCLA. The appointment of Ms Anna Wojcieszek as the new Laboratory Director marks the next phase in the laboratory’s growth.
Ms Wojcieszek has extensive diamond grading experience and spent several years in Gemmology and Client Development through the E.G.L USA Group in Canada. Holding a degree from the University of British Columbia, and studies at the Canadian Institute of Gemmology within the International Accredited Gemmologist (CIG) Diploma program which earned her the designated title of Diamond Expert (CIG), Ms Wojcieszek assumes responsibility for the DCLA.
The DCLA looks forward to continuing to provide unparalleled service as Australia’s foremost diamond grading laboratory.
