Editor’s Note
While South Africa’s dominance in diamond production has waned, its historical role remains pivotal. The Kimberley mine is the namesake of the Kimberley Process, an international certification scheme established to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the mainstream market. This article explores the nation’s evolving place in the global diamond trade.
Historically a major player in the global market, South Africa is no longer the world’s largest diamond producer. However, one of its mines, the Kimberley mine, is the origin of the international regulations aimed at banning “conflict diamonds”—those originating from the African continent and fueling numerous wars waged by rebels against governments.
Since the implementation of these regulations, the cards have been largely reshuffled: Botswana and Canada are now at the forefront of producing countries. This shift was notably accelerated after the European Union and the Group of Seven (G7) major world powers banned diamonds from Russia, previously the top producer, due to its responsibility for the invasion of Ukraine.
In the Canadian subarctic region, more precisely in the Northwest Territories, the discovery of the first rough diamonds dates back barely thirty years. Mines established on frozen ground produce high-quality stones, typically of an immaculate white, destined for jewelry. A significant portion is cut by local artisans with guaranteed traceability thanks to laser engraving on the gemstone. Major international brands, including those from Place Vendôme, regularly select them for their creations.
Today, diamond extraction constitutes the largest private-sector industry in the entire Northwest Territories. It represents a quarter of the GDP, contributes to the economy of Indigenous peoples, supports education and vocational training programs, and promotes the implementation of alternative technologies—such as wind turbines—to reduce carbon emissions.
Similar efforts for environmental and community preservation are underway in Botswana, in Southern Africa. This industry has financed schools and hospitals and built roads. It also aims to reduce its impact on biodiversity.
In reality, this pursuit of sustainability undertaken internationally by the main diamond players has been implemented for over two decades. It relies on bodies such as the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading standards-setting organization for development in the jewelry and watch industry, or the Natural Diamond Council (NDC). The NDC’s latest initiative is currently visible in Paris: the “Big Bang” exhibition, open to the public until November 24 at La Cité, 71 Rue Réaumur. It presents photographer Sonia Sieff’s perspective on natural diamonds.