A few days ago I read an interesting article by Ken Gassman on IDEX about the green movement having a negative effect on jewelry sales. The main reason cited was the way that the way the precious metals and stones are mined but I think it goes much deeper than that. Yes, people care a great deal about the environment but people also care about people. Our industry needs to continue to address both. Check out what Hoover and Strong is doing on the environmental part with it’s Harmony metals.
In regards to the people part, the diamond industry is doing some amazing thing in South African countries like Namibia and Botswana. I still can’t figure out why the diamond companies that have factories in these locations are not making these success stories more widely known. Maybe it’s because if you pound your chest and say “Hey, look at what great things I am doing here in Namibia” people won’t think it is sincere. It is probably best to let the practice of “beneficiation” take it’s natural course.
So yes, in the short run, the green movement might hinder jewelry sales but I feel there will be a small number companies that will thrive in the face of adversity (like Hoover and Strong)! As an industry, we can make people feel good about our products again and spur demand if we practice doing the right thing.
Posted under Beneficiation, Namibian Diamonds
This post was written by on August 26, 2008
