Reinventing a legacy diamond bourse,
galvanizing it for the future
‘We have so much knowledge, expertise, and passion spread across different sectors—miners, manufacturers, traders, jewelers—but no single place where we can come together efficiently.’
David Troostwyk began his career in Antwerp, where he worked for several Sightholders. He then went on to establish one of the first online electronic diamond exchanges. In 2011, David returned to his native UK to set up Salotro, a diamond trading company. He joined the London Diamond Bourse that same year and, later, the Young Diamantaires group. David has been on the London Diamond Bourse Council of Management since 2018, and also serves on the Young Diamantaires Organizing Committee. His extensive expertise covers many levels of the diamond pipeline and he uses this experience to implement initiatives to bring the next generation of diamantaires through both organizations.
FEBRUARY 6, 2025
I never set out to be President of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB). If you’d told me years ago—when I was deep in the rough diamond trade in Africa, learning the ropes in Antwerp, or building my own business in London—that I’d be leading one of the most historic institutions in the industry, I probably would have laughed. But life has a funny way of preparing you for things without you even realizing it.
My journey in the diamond world has been anything but conventional. I wasn’t born into a diamond family, and I certainly didn’t have a mapped-out plan. I started out in the early 2000s in the rough diamond buying markets of Tanzania, where I learned first-hand the realities of the supply chain—from artisanal miners to international trading hubs. That experience shaped my understanding of not just the product, but of the people, the global ecosystem that makes this industry tick, and the incredible positive impact natural diamonds have on diamond mining communities and the millions of people it serves downstream.
From Tanzania, I moved to Antwerp, and took every diamond course I could. I worked for some of the most well-respected Sightholders, and immersed myself in the polished trade.
Over the years, I was technically trained in the polished diamond business—sorting, buying and selling. I worked in the administrative side. I built businesses and interacted with luxury brands across Europe, the United States and Asia. I saw the industry evolve in real time. But it wasn’t until 2011 when I joined the London Diamond Bourse and, years later, when I began working on the Organizing Committee of the Young Diamantaires group that I truly understood the importance of community in this trade.
A new era for the London Diamond Bourse
The London Diamond Bourse (LDB) has always been a cornerstone of trust in the UK diamond trade, but let’s be honest—it’s in need of a shake-up. When I became President in 2024, I knew that, if we wanted to remain relevant, we couldn’t just rely on our legacy. We had to evolve, embrace change, and create real value for our members.
One of the first things I did was push for greater diversity in leadership. For the first time in LDB history, we now have a council that is 50 percent female, including our first female Vice President, Charlotte Rose. This wasn’t just a symbolic move; it was about bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas. We need to be outward facing and make the LDB appealing and truly representative of the industry today.
We also secured a long-term lease for our headquarters—because while the industry is evolving, having a stable home for our members to meet, trade and connect is crucial. Beyond the physical space, my real focus has been on revitalizing what the Bourse stands for, and galvanizing our membership. That means contributing to growing the natural diamond market by fostering deeper collaborations with key industry organizations, and ensuring that the next generation has an entry point, with access to the knowledge and opportunities they need in order to thrive.
We’ve already made great strides, like hosting high-impact industry events, such as our recent “Spotlight on Diamonds” event at De Beers HQ.
These gatherings aren’t just about networking—they’re about leading by example and illustrating how working together can benefit our peers and colleagues in the trade.
We’re also working closely with the UK government to advocate for grants and apprenticeships, creating dialogue with the Department of Creative Industries and Digital in order to streamline access for young talent, allowing them to gain essential experience and build rewarding careers within the diamond and jewelry industry.
We’re likewise expanding our educational initiatives, which currently include a one-day Diamond Identification course and a Diamond Manufacturing course. These are aimed at both retail, benefiting sale assistants or those at entry level in the trade, as well as students eager to learn more.
The courses provide foundational knowledge and serve as an introduction to the industry, enabling individuals to determine whether they want to pursue further learning or hands-on experience. These initiatives, coupled with our mentorship programs and industry discussions, ensure that knowledge isn’t just held by a few—it’s shared and accessible to all.
The author, David Troostwyk, together with World Diamond Council Executive Director Elodie Daguzan, during a WDC dinner in London in May 2023.
More than just a digital platform
Amidst all of this, one thing became glaringly obvious to me—the industry is too fragmented. We have so much knowledge, expertise, and passion spread across different sectors—miners, manufacturers, traders, jewelers—but no single place where we can come together efficiently. That’s where CiviGem was born.
Originally, it was just an idea—something to help improve communication within the London Diamond Bourse and bring our membership closer together. But as I built it, spoke to more people, and saw the response, it became clear that this wasn’t just about LDB. The industry as a whole needed a better way to connect. So, what started as a small initiative quickly grew into something much bigger—a digital ecosystem designed to bring the diamond and jewelry world closer together.
It’s been a challenge. Building something like this from scratch, making sure it actually works for people, and constantly refining it based on real feedback hasn’t been easy. But I believe in it. And I know it can be a game-changer for the industry.
CiviGem is about empowering the industry, making us stronger, louder, and more impactful. It provides a space where professionals from every segment of the industry and every corner the globe can connect, share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and even mentor the next generation.
But here’s the thing—CiviGem is only as powerful as the people who use it. The more we interact, contribute, and shape it together, the better it becomes. I’m constantly learning, tweaking, and improving it with input from early adopters, and I’ll keep pushing to make it the best it can be. Because I truly believe, this industry deserves something that brings us all together.
The future: Collaboration, growth and strength
The diamond industry is at a crossroads. Traditional Western hubs are facing new competition, trade patterns are shifting, and technology is changing how we operate. But rather than seeing this as a threat, I see it as an opportunity.
The diamond and jewelry industry is, above all, built on relationships—many of which have been nurtured over years, and in some cases, across generations. The trust and understanding that has evolved over time are invaluable and impossible to replicate. These relationships are what we need to foster, and what holds the key to future opportunities for everyone involved in our industry.
Through the reinvention of the London Diamond Bourse and the creation of CiviGem, my mission is clear. We need to galvanize stakeholders to assist in building a more connected, resilient, and forward-thinking diamond industry. Whether it’s through strategic collaborations, championing natural diamonds, or leveraging technology to bridge gaps, I believe we have the power to shape our own future.
London has a legacy in this industry—but legacies mean nothing if they’re not built upon. My goal isn’t just to preserve the LDB’s history; it’s to ensure its relevance for generations to come. With the support of our Council, our members, our partners, and the broader industry, I know we can make that happen.
This is just the beginning. Let’s make it count.