The World Diamond Council welcomes 13 new members
ARSLANIAN GROUP DMCC
Founded in 2013 by the second and third generations of the Arslanian diamond family, whose first generation had first entered the business in 1951, the Arslanian Group is today a leading player in the international rough diamond trade. With its Antwerp headquarters a long-time WDC member, it is now joined by it office in the Dubai Multi-Commodities Center (DMCC).
Over its years of operation, the Arslanian Group has acquired direct and regular access to important rough supply sources, which it complements with central sorting and marketing facilities.
A member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, the company states that supply chain integrity, ethical sourcing, and traceability are embedded in its corporate strategies and are a fundamental part of its day-to-day functioning.
A.V. DIAMONDS
Part of the V&A Group of companies, A.V. Diamonds was founded over 30 years ago by partners Vinay Kotak, Founder and President, and Alex Malik, CEO. Vinay’s children Aryan and Simran Kotak recently joined the company and head up V&A Luxury and Ethos Creations divisions, respectively.
The company has has grown to become one of the largest designer and manufacturers of jewelry in the world. Dedicated to the principles of integrity, responsibility, and stewardship, it firmly believes its success is a direct result of its integrity. Whether it’s a supplier, employee, stakeholders or one of its more than 5,000 customers, it believes that in being a fair and ethical partner creates win-win opportunities for everyone.
A.V. Diamonds’ customer base includes independent jewelry stores, mid-sized chains, buying groups, and most of the largest jewelry retailers and department stores in the world.
A.V. Diamonds’ senior management team (from left): Vinay Kotak, Founder and President; Aryan Kotak, Head of the V&A Luxury Division; Simran Kotak, Head of the Ethos Creations Division; and Alex Malik, CEO.
B.A. ASSCHER
Founded in Paris, France, in 1862, B.A. Asscher is a supplier of diamonds and colored gemstones to leading jewelry brands, as well as other retailers and jewelry manufacturers.
Committed to an ethically and socially responsible trade, the company is a certified member of the Responsible Jewelry Council and in 2022 installed a carbon foot-printing program to reduce its environmental impact.
CONSTELL GROUP
Constell Group is a leading manufacturing and consulting firm specialized in the diamond industry, offering tailored manufacturing and consultancy solutions for businesses and new entrants across the globe.
With origins in Worldwide Diamond Manufacturers Pvt. Ltd, a prominent diamond cutting, and polishing facility established in 1997 in Visakhapatnam, India, Constell Group operates multiple cutting-edge manufacturing facilities and a world-class sorting facility, providing sorting, valuation, and consultancy services to diamond mining, manufacturing, and retail companies.
Meir Boukris, Chairman, Constell Group
Carlos Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer, Constell Group
Eytan Maximov, Chief Technical Officer, Constell Group
The group’s impartial approach, devoid of diamond ownership, purchase, or sale, ensures a conflict-free operation, making it a trusted partner in the global diamond and jewellery sector.
CRODIAM CONSULTING
Located at the DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) in Dubai, Crodiam Consulting is an independent rough trading and consulting company established by Frank Govic, a specialist in start-up diamond mining operations and rough diamond marketing and sales. Starting out as a valuator and sales negotiator for the Argyle mine operations in Australia, he later served as Marketing Director at BHP Billiton Diamonds, where he was responsible for the valuation and sales of diamonds from the Ekati mine in Canada.
He established an independent rough trading and consulting company in Antwerp in 2010, and before setting up Crodiam, established GTD Consulting.
DIAMEX INC.
Founded in New York in 1976, Diamex is a manufacturer of polished diamonds, structured around the critical core values of its founders. Its president is Ronnie VanderLinden, who for eight years headed the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America and is President of the U.S. Jewelry Council. He also serves as Vice President of the World Diamond Council.
Providing jewelry consultations, appraisals and serving as a trusted resource for estate sales or private purchases, Diamex has served as an advisor to members of the diamond trade, international auction houses, and the U.S. State Department.
Ronnie VanderLinden, President, Diamex Inc.
DN DIAMONDS
Established in 2007, DN Diamonds is an Israeli diamond and jewelry manufacturing and trading company specializing in larger diamonds, from 3.00 carats and up, in every shape and color. It was founded by Nissim Zuaretz, a diamantaire with 25 years of experience in the business, who currently is President of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association.
Headquartered at Israel Diamond Exchange, the company also operates offices in Hong Kong, New York and Dubai, and in 2014 and 2021 was recognized as Israel’s Outstanding Diamond Exporter by the country’s Ministry of Economy.
Nissim Zuaretz, CEO and Founder, DN Diamonds.
JULIUS KLIEN DIAMONDS
Established in 1948, Julius Klein Diamonds (JKD) prides itself on being a preeminent player in the global industry, with an extraordinary inventory of the fine-quality diamonds, hard-to-find items and unique diamond-set jewelry. Serving at a comprehensive source of suppy to its retail partners, its core philosophy is to be able to provide all customer with the right diamonds that satisfy they needs.
JKD today operates sales offices in New York, Tel Aviv and Hong Kong. As an international diamond company, JKD is continuing a family tradition of excellence in a new diamond era by proudly operating with the traditions and values upon which it was built – integrity, trust, dedication and craftsmanship.
Mark Klein, Vice President, Julius Klein Diamonds.
KARSHEV JEWELLERY
Based in Mumbai, India, Karshev Jewellery is a family-run, private jeweler offering its clients an entirely bespoke service. It is owned and operated by three generations of diamantaires, whose mission it is to uncover the most exquisite stones in the world and transform them into extraordinary pieces of jewelry.
Dhirendra Hirawat, Karshev Jewellery.
Karan Hirawat, Karshev Jewellery.
KUNMING INTERNATIONAL
Kunming Diamonds is a global, multi-generational company that has built its business into one of the world’s leading natural colored diamond trading houses.
The company is committed to conducting their business responsibly and positively impacting the communities in which they operate. It is an audited member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
Kunming Diamonds is also an Authorized Partner of Argyle Pink Diamonds, and a certified member of the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF).
Harsh Maheshwari, Executive Director, Kunming Diamonds.
MATTHEW SCHAMROTH
A fourth-generation diamantaire, Matthew Schamroth is a partner in M. Schamroth & Sons of New York. The company was founded at the turn of the 20th century in Antwerp, Belgium.
Matthew is an active member of the Executive Board of The Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association (DMIA), and in 2019 created the Diamond Integrity Committee (DDIC) to protect and preserve the integrity of the diamond supply chain. It does so by standards for the screening of natural diamonds, to ensure they are not mixed with laboratory-grown diamonds and diamond simulants.
Matthew Schamroth.
OKAVANGO DIAMOND COMPANY (ODC)
Starting operations in 2013 and wholly owned by the government of Botswana, the Okavango Diamond Company, (ODC) is a rough diamond marketing and selling company that is the largest supplier to the market of exclusively Botswana-sourced goods.
ODC has access to 25 percent of the run-of-mine production of Debswana, the diamond mining company jointly owned by the Botswana government and the De Beers Group. It currently sells in excess of 5 million carats per annum achieving revenues of $1 billion in 2022-2023. ODC is expected to have access to 30 percent of Debswana diamonds, which will see it selling over 7 million carats per year.
Dr. Gape Kaboyakgosi, Board Chairperson, ODC
Mmetla Masire, Managing Director, ODC
With a transparent sales model, whereby prices are set by the market through an online bidding process, the company states that its mission is to support the ongoing transformation of Botswana into a leading rough-sourcing destination and to drive the citizen participation in the diamond industry.
VD GLOBAL
Founded in 1981, VD Global (VDG) has more 50 years of experience in the diamond business, spanning three generations. It is a globally trusted firm in the luxury industry, with a presence in all major markets.
VDG prides itself on its commitment to crafting the finest ethical, sustainable and traceable natural polished diamonds for watch and jewelry maisons.
Bhavya Vaghasia (left), Global Head of Luxury, Vallabhbhai Vaghasia (center), Chairman, and Vandit Vaghasia, CEO, VD Global.
