RAPAPORT…
The Diamond Development Initiative International (DDI) launched its fundraising campaign, the Friends of DDI. Retailers who sign on receive the Retailers Friendship Kit, which includes a certificate of recognition, counter displays, information postcards and gift box insert cards imprinted with the donor’s name that can be distributed to customers and constituents.
Membership in the Friends of DDI conveys to consumers a jeweler’s concern for the estimated 15 percent of diamond workers who labor under challenging, artisanal mining conditions.
Under the leadership of Susan Jacques, the chief executive of Borsheim’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts and the honorary chair of the Friends of DDI campaign, several jewelry industry players are lending their support. Joining Jacques in this campaign is The Palladium Alliance International, also a Millennium Star level contributor.
Those who have pledged so far include: Alishan; Ruth Batson; Brilliant Earth; Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers; the Diamond Council of America; David Craig of David Craig Jewelers; Jeffrey Fischer of Fischer Diamonds; Ronny Friedman of William Friedman Diamonds; Cecilia Gardner; Martin Fuller Appraisals LLC; the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers; Sarin Technologies; Summa Jewelers; Ronnie Vanderlinden of Diamex Inc.; Vanessa Nicole Jewels and Windiam.
“DDI’s Retailer Friendship Kit gives us concrete tools that retailers can use to respond to the growing consumer preference for ethical jewelry consumption,” said Jacques. “I encourage all members of the jewelry industry that truly want to make a positive impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the supply chain to support the Friends of DDI.”
Frank McAllister, the director of Palladium Alliance and the chief executive of Stillwater Mining, said, “DDI’s work is critical to building consumer confidence in the entire jewelry industry. We’re proud to support their valuable contribution to the most marginalized sector of the diamond pipeline.”
DDI brings together the jewelry and the diamond industries, non-governmental organizations and governments with a common goal to ensure that diamonds are an engine of positive economic and social development in communities where diamonds are sourced in Africa and South America.