Countries and delegates will propose changes in the definition of conflict diamonds

Zimbabwe has declared that it will not support undertaken by civil society step to expand the definition of conflict diamonds with a view to the inclusion of such concepts as human rights.
Chidakva Walter (Walter Chidhakwa), Zimbabwe's minister of mining, said in an interview to Rough & Polished, that the representatives of South Africa were also dissatisfied with these possible changes.
It is expected that the controversial issue will cause fierce debates at the intersessional meeting of the Kimberley Process (KP), which will be held in Perth, Australia, at the beginning of next month.
. "Our argument is very simple We sell diamonds, so let's do everything possible so that our stones are clean" - Chidakva said.
"This is our core business, (and KP) is a UN body, there is another UN agency (dealing with human rights), and even in front of it there is the body of the African Union, in charge of human rights. If we say that human rights-related diamond, should be resolved within the framework of the Kimberley process, (then) I do not understand what we're trying to do, "- he added.
He also said that the UN and the IMF, as well as member states KP have ways to deal with illegal funding from diamond mining.
"Why do not we allow those who have the experience to handle this?" - Asks a rhetorical question Chidakva.
"If we are asked to provide information, we will, of course, pass on to them the information so they can better explore our work, but to say that we are going to take over the functions and responsibilities of the other (agencies and institutions) under the KP, I think it It would be wrong So we discussed it with the South Africans, and we refuse it, "-. continues to minister.
KP Chairman Robert Owen Jones (Robert Owen Jones) told Rough & Polished in February that the organization of this year will review some of the provisions, and would not be surprising if the number of countries and delegates will propose changes in the definition of conflict diamonds.
"I want to talk about everything from the point of view of the members of the CP will make the organization better. Ultimately, any decisions we make as a manual, are carried out on the basis of consensus, so you do not just take one particular point of view, you need to listen to each point . That view so we can change or not to change the definition of (conflict diamonds), as the decision is made on the basis of consensus ", - he added.

The goal is to protect the trade from conflict diamonds flow

UAE continue to express its deep commitment to the Kimberley Process (KP) after a successful year presidency of the organization in 2016.
A special committee of the United Arab Emirates on the Kimberley Process, established by the Ministry of the economy and the Dubai Commodities Center (Dubai Multi-Commodity Centre, DMCC ), is intended to support and strengthen multilateral cooperation in respect of imports of rough diamonds exports and transit, in accordance with the requirements of the KP. Mariam al-Hashemi (Maryam Al Hashemi), the representative of the United Arab Emirates in KP, was appointed to head the Committee on participation and chairmanship of the KP (Committee on Participation and Chairmanship, CPC ).
Commenting on the appointment committee, Mariam said: "The members of the Working Group of the UAE government and the federal government always provide a lively and constructive consideration of the issues and initiatives put forward for discussion remains the goal is to protect the trade from conflict diamonds flow.".
"The Federal Customs Administration is working closely with its partners in order to facilitate trade and the protection of society. Cooperation with the Office of the Kimberley Process from the UAE and other agencies is vital to ensure that the diamond trade has continued to meet the KP principles, especially because the UAE is currently plays an important role in the trade in rough diamonds, "- said Suud Al Agrubi (Suoud Al Agroobi), Director of international Relations of the Federal customs control UAE.

Closure of jewelry stores across the country

Reducing the number of jewelry stores in the United States slowed in the first quarter of this year, falling to 16%, according to the Trade Commission Jewelry (Jewelers Board of Trade, JBT) .
Reducing the rate of closure of jewelry stores across the country bucked the trend to a consistent reduction of the industry in the previous year, according to the JBT, published last week. 318 stores were closed in the first quarter, compared with 380 for the same period in 2016.
In 2016, the number of US companies that sell jewelry, fell by 54% to 1669 decline was mainly in the retail category.
Most of bankrupt companies this year, still belong to the retail sector, but, nevertheless, they closed 13% less, only 250 Closed wholesalers decreased by 14% to 44, and the manufacturing companies were less likely to be closed at 44 %, to 24.
The improvement rate was in the background of a slight 0.2-percent growth in sales in the US jewelry stores in January and February, which amounted to a total of $ 4.41 billion, according to a separate census Bureau.
According to the report, Credit Suisse, in the wider retail sector in the United States this year, was closed about 2,880 stores, compared with 1153 for the same period in 2016.

Ethical aspects of the global diamond trade

AWDC (Antwerp World Diamond Centre, AWDC) in collaboration with the University of Antwerp organizes from August 28 to September 8, 2017 the first "Summer University of Antwerp, from mine to finger» (From Mine to Finger).
Summer School is designed for students, masters and students of final year undergraduate interested in deepening their knowledge about diamonds and the diamond industry.
During the first week, students will discover the world of diamonds, including historical, geological, technical, economic, commercial and ethical aspects of the global diamond trade. The second week of the Summer School will focus on the themes of "innovation" and "stability" of the global diamond industry - from production to the final product.
Students enrolled in universities in different countries can be up to May 18 to enroll in summer school site www.uantwerp.be/mine-to-finger .

The richest diamond mine in the world until 2024

Of Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers and the Botswana government, start to process the ore, resulting in part of the expansion of the diamond mine Jwaneng (Jwaneng), known as Cut 8 (Cut 8). The cost of the expansion was $ 3 billion. 

In an interview with Reuters managing director of Debswana Balis Bonongo (Balisi Bonyongo) noted that 88% of the 500 million tonnes of ore at an empty diamond-bearing rocks were removed by the end of last month as part of the stripping activity. 

"Land Cat-8 may soon reach the planned targets and ore expansion diamond mine is delivered for processing to the main processing plant," - he said. 

According to Reuters, initiated in 2010 a project of Cat 8 year, aims to produce 100 million carats and extending the life cycle of Jwaneng, the richest diamond mine in the world until 2024. 

Meanwhile, Bonongo said Debswana will close its 42-year-old diamond mine Letlhakane (Letlhakane) this year. 

It will replace the processing plant tailings, which is expected to be commissioned by June. 

"The life of mine Letlhakane ended We have invested 2.1 billion in the creation of a pool of processing plant tailings, which are expected to be able to produce about 800,000 carats of diamonds for 20 years of service.", - he added. 

It is expected that this year Debswana produce about 20.5 million carats, or a little more than a given value. 

Earlier this week, the group Anglo American companies said Debswana diamond production fell by 3% to 5.2 million carats in the first quarter of 2017. 

Commercial agreements are confidential in nature

Botswana defends his right not to disclose details of large transactions diamond development, saying that "no country does not sign transparent agreements."
Reuters quoted the World Bank consultant Handler Nils (Nils Handler), who noted that the government's decision to keep secret the negotiation process with regard to contracts for diamond mining and the development of large integrated projects is a cause for concern.
He said that more open process, including published contracts, Botswana will become more transparent country with jurisdiction accountable.
However, Minister of Minerals and Water Resources of Botswana Sadiq Kebonang (Sadique Kebonang) challenged the World Bank's view, saying that commercial agreements are confidential in nature because of the sensitivity of the information they carry.
"The negotiating team includes representatives of various ministries, semi-public and private sectors, public and private lawyers and experts in the field of mining, - quotes its word newspaper Mmegi -. The very participation of the parties in the negotiation process makes the process transparent."
He also said: "Even the World Bank, when gives us loans, keeps some of the details of the loan agreement a secret."
Kebonang noted that the details of large transactions for the extraction will be made public after the agreement to be concluded.
Botswana, according to Reuters The, gets 89% of its foreign currency earnings and 30% of national income from mining operations, mainly diamonds.
The country comprises numerous large-scale contracts for production, sale and marketing of diamonds to De Beers, a division of Anglo American.
De Beers and the Botswana jointly owned by Debswana and DTC Botswana companies. Botswana also owns a 15% stake in De Beers.

Tips on responsible jewelry practices

Tips on responsible jewelry practices (Responsible Jewellery Council, RJC), a global organization for standards and certification throughout the supply chain jewelry, held its AGM in Pforzheim, Germany.
The meeting elected the new vice chairman of the Board of Directors Dide Terola (Didier Theraulaz, Piaget) and was re-elected Honorary Treasurer Firiel Zeruki (Feriel Zerouki, De Beers Group) .
RJC Members also elected directors Peter Karakchieva Council (PJSC "ALROSA"), Stephen Lussier (Stephen Lussier, De Beers Group) , Aloka Kumbhata (Alok Kumbhat, Jewelex India Pvt Ltd , Diamond division), Philip Rayzerta (Philipp Reisert, C. Hafner GmbH + Co. KG), Larry Drummond (Metalor Technologies SA), Thomas Puzone (Vacheron Constantin), Mark Hanna (Richline Group, Inc.), Erika de Rockin '(Eric de Rocquigny, Van Cleef & Arpels), Boaz Lev ( boaz Lev, Gem Lab Services), Marijke Ahten (Marijke Achten, HRD Antwerp) and Michael de Gelhanda Merksemna (Geelhand de Merxemn, Antwerp World Diamond Centre), representing the appropriate forums.
After the shareholders' meeting RJC held an open discussion with the experts of the jewelry industry, which participants discussed the new EU Regulation on conflict minerals and exchanged views on the regulation and implementation of measures to improve the quality of due diligence by the RJC and its members.
During the event, presented the RJC annual activity report for 2017, which provides information on developments in the expansion of the membership of the Council, as well as in the field of certification and standards.

Experimental wells are to obtain new data on the internal geology

Tsodilo Resources said that the pilot program of drilling wells at its BK16 kimberlite project in Botswana to be completed later this month.
It was planned to set up fourteen wells with a total length of about 3100 meters, with eleven of them are completed by now.
It was expected that recycling will receive about 2,000 tonnes of kimberlite.
Pilot holes were designed so as to ensure an approximate 50 meter spacing for the first stage of drilling large diameter (LDD).
The Tsodilo said that the priorities of the experimental wells are to obtain new data on the internal geology of the kimberlite and kimberlite optimization intersected program LDD.
"Geotechnical investigation cores enable to select suitable drill bits LDD based on rock hardness as well, core holes to test wells will also be reference as soon as the results obtained in diamond production under the LDD program", - said in a statement.
BK16 kimberlite project is located within kimberlite field Orapa (Orapa).
Of the 83 known kimberlite bodies Orapa being developed 9. These include the project of Debswana Orapa mine and cars (Karowe), owned by Lucara.

More developed infrastructure for the storage of gold

World Gold Council (World Gold Council, WGC) is working with the Indian government over plans to create a local physical gold exchange spot, which can start trading as early as next year. Managing director of WGC India PR Somasundaram (Somasundaram PR) said: "We are working to create a gold exchange in India's Ministry of Finance has formed a committee of gold and that he decided to set up exchanges.".
According to him, the exchange plans to continue to face many obstacles. For example, questions related to gold in India is not solved by the central government and the local authorities states. In addition, a more developed infrastructure for the storage of gold and more reliable document management system in the market. The new exchange would have brought more order and structure of the market, and the government also positively assessed this Somasundaram added. "The Exchange will not be the standard trading platform, which is supported by the liquidity of storage of gold, it will be something completely different."
The price of gold has been increasing for the second consecutive year, stimulating investor interest amid rising gold consumption in China and the falling US dollar.

More peacekeeping forces in the diamond mining town

The United Nations (UN) plans to send more peacekeeping forces in the diamond mining town of Bangassou (Bangassou) in the Central African Republic (CAR), to stop the recent wave of violence sweeping the region.
Bloomberg quoted Stefan Dudzharricha (Stephane Dujarric), Spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres (Antonio Guterres), who said that the new clashes erupted in the southern prefectures of Bria and alindao.
"Untested evidence suggests that there may have been killed up to 100 people" - he said.
He added that the peacekeeping force will help to neutralize the attackers, protect the civilian population and to provide vital humanitarian assistance to the population.
According to Bloomberg referring to the US Geological Survey, the CAR in 2012 was the tenth largest producer of diamonds in the world by value.
In 2013, in CAR occurred internecine conflict when rebels from the Muslim group Selek seized power from President Fransua Bozize, to provoke bloodshed by Christian militants "antibalaka".
The diamonds used to finance the operations of the warring groups, prompting the Kimberley Process to ban the export of diamonds from countries that are not landlocked.
But last year, the body partially lifted the ban.

Necklace of designer collections

The advertisement David Yurman model is a necklace of designer collections, and on the second page of another model just puts his braided gold bracelet.

Brand Donna Karan presents a model in a smart silver necklace from a variety of spheres from designer Roberta Li Morris (Robert Lee Morris).

jewelry and classically elegant products

Editors also pay attention to the sculptural metal jewelry and classically elegant products in the style of the 40s, such as form-fitting necklace neck coupled with small brooches and earrings.

Feel decorated and fully equipped

Editors of Harper's Bazaar highlighted feature of the season when he wrote: "In season urban shells of the simplest products look especially cool. However, You fall - this bracelet, like the fact that Nicolas Ghesquiere made of gold and silver for Balenciaga. When worn, it gives all the elements on a hand finished look. Put two and feel and decorated and fully equipped. "

One of the trendiest of the season

Editors Elle, seems to have reached a consensus, and here stylists have decorated their models with single bracelets, as well as combinations of bracelets of gold up to the elbows. And Glamour editors were in favor, to update the fall wardrobe, using jewelry, stressing that with the help of one of the trendiest of the season bracelets can be made to the little black dress look new.

When the jewels finally appear

In the fall issue of Vogue 584 pages and almost 500 pages there is no special emphasis on jewelry and Charlize Theron (Charlize Theron) poses on the cover without ornaments. When the jewels finally appear, they fully engage the attention. Stylists decorated actress Eva Mendes (Eva Mendes) to bracelets to mid-hand, while models in the editorial section devoted to autumn outerwear, appeared in the female neck necklace, bib combined with chain and mirror smooth bracelets on both wrists.

Fans were of citrine and smoky quartz

Although it turned out that the gems are not played in the autumn issue of the significant role of magazines, the editors of InStyle fans were of citrine and smoky quartz, natural stone colors are best combined with an autumn palette of mustard yellow, dark-brown and all shades of green.

models in the style of the 40s

stylists prefer long strings of pearls in several layers, while Vogue editors gave the appearance of models in the style of the 40s with short single thread of pearls and pearl earrings, studs. Although the decoration for the ears have been largely ignored in these publications they attract a lot of attention, and the editors demonstrate a variety of earrings, studs and small, covering earlobe ornaments.

He has a habit of losing the look and give your age

Apparently, it is not surprising that, given the prevalence of the fashion style of the 40s (as opposed to harsh and rough samples), widely represented pearls. While in consumer magazines obvious tendency to promote artificial pearls, Lucky encourages readers to pay attention to natural pearls, and says: "There is a huge variety of wonderful costume jewelry, which means that you do not have to spend big money on a really worthwhile thing. In other words, get your fake pearls. He has a habit of losing the look and give your age. "