Sustainability efforts boost livelihoods in diamond and gem sourcing nations

BRASILIA, Brazil - Actions to foster more responsible sourcing of diamonds and colored gemstones can boost the livelihoods of people in origin countries, as illustrated by the example of Botswana, CIBJO, World Jewellery Confederation, President Gaetano Cavalieri said.

In a keynote address to the May 19-22 ICA Congress, Mr Cavalieri explained how strategies to introduce greater sustainability in natural diamond production, had improved the quality of life of people in Botswana.

Botswana has developed to become an upper middle income country, with improved opportunities for education, and has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa, thanks in part to moves to promote responsible sourcing of its key export diamonds.

He referred to production of diamonds and colored gemstones in origin countries across the world as a “peace asset,” giving people the possibility to have a better quality of life.

Quality of life is improving, for example, in African colored gemstone origin nations, such as Zambia and Mozambique, and in Latin America, Mr Cavalieri said, acknowledging the positive impact to local living standards contributed by mining groups such as Gemfields and Fura.

Mr Cavalieri said it was vital to encourage young people to enter the colored gemstone and diamond industries and to drive forward sustainability policies implementing responsible supply chains.