The breakfast and conference are free and open to all.

Stephen Lussier

“State of the Diamond Industry” by Martin Rapaport

Special Presentation – “The Diamond Dream” with Stephen Lussier
CEO of ForeverMark and Executive Vice President – Marketing, De Beers

The Rapaport annual State of the Diamond Industry presentation will give you the strategic insights you need to understand the market. The outlook for diamond demand and supply, as well as a forecast of prices going into the Christmas season will be discussed. Find out what you need to know to maximize your diamond profits.

Martin Rapaport

This year’s special presentation will focus on “The Diamond Dream”, with a thorough analysis of why consumers buy diamonds and how you can sell more diamonds by participating in the dream. Stephen Lussier, CEO of De Beers ForeverMark and Executive Vice President of Marketing of De Beers for the past 22 years will present his views of what the diamond trade can and should do to increase consumer desire for diamonds. If you want to understand the diamond business, specifically, why customers buy diamonds and how you can sell more diamonds, don’t miss this presentation.

Diamond grading reports have become the most important merchandising and marketing tool for better quality diamonds. But what exactly do these reports communicate? What standards are used and who grades the graders?

Join us for a lively discussion about what is really going on in the market for lab graded diamonds? Topics to be discussed include; diamond grading standards, SI3 and Eye-Clean grading, Are Grading Report destroying profits? How can jewelers add value to diamonds with grading reports?

Panelists will include:
Mahiar Borhanjoo, Venus Jewel International
Jerry Ehrenwald, International Gemological Institute
Cecilia Gardner, Jewelers Vigilance Committee
Mark Gershburg, Gemological Science International
Dries Holvoet, HRD Antwerp
Susan Jacques, Gemological Institute of America
David Lasher, Diamond Dealers Club of New York
Jason Quick, American Gem Society Laboratory
Peter Yantzer, American Gem Society Laboratory

Leading members and organizations of the jewelry industry will be meet to discuss what can and should be done to improve responsible sourcing in the diamond and jewelry trade.

Issues to be discussed will include;
What can jewelers do to ensure the legitimacy of the products they sell? What should be done about the sale of synthetic and treated diamonds as natural diamonds? How can international trade organizations work together to protect the integrity of the diamond and jewelry industry? What role can and should Chain of Custody standards play in ensuring the legitimacy of jewelry products?

This is your opportunity to learn about what you can do to ensure responsible sources of supply and develop strategies that will help you protect your reputation and increase your business.

Panelists will include:
Edward Asscher, World Diamond Council
David Bouffard, Signet Jewellers
Eric Braunwart, Columbia Gemhouse
James Courage, Responsible Jewellery Council
Cecilia Gardner, Jewelers Vigilance Committee
Dorothee Gizenga, Diamond Development Initiative International
Mark Hanna, Richline Group
Douglas Hucker, American Gem Trade Association
Erik Jens, ABN Amro
Stephen Lussier, Forevermark
Prakash Mehta, Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association
Philip Olden, Signet Jewellers
Alex Popov, World Federation of Diamond Bourses
Kenneth Porter, Alliance for Responsible Mining
Ronnie VanderLinden, Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America