De Beers and GemFair launch first artisanal diamond collection

De Beers London has launched a 12-piece capsule collection featuring diamonds sourced from the GemFair artisanal and small-scale mining programme.

The collection marks the first time diamonds from the GemFair initiative have been used in a dedicated jewellery range. The programme, which launched in the Kono region of Sierra Leone in 2018, now includes more than 500 participating mine sites and supports approximately 7,000 workers.

GemFair uses digital tracking tools to provide a traceable route to market for artisanal miners, who account for approximately 10% of the global diamond supply by value. 

Since its inception, the programme has purchased more than 20,000 diamonds and conducted 5,700 compliance visits to verify mining and working practices.

The new collection includes rings and jewellery sets that pair polished diamonds with rough stones. Beyond the initial capsule, GemFair has been appointed as a registered supplier for future De Beers London collections.

The programme also includes an environmental reclamation project. Since 2020, GemFair has converted nearly 160 abandoned mine pits into agricultural land and donated 1,000 kilograms of seedlings to local communities.

Emmanuelle Nodale, chief executive of De Beers London, said: “We’re proud to be the first jeweller to launch a collection featuring GemFair ethically sourced diamonds, bringing not just their beauty but also the powerful story of artisanal miners to our clients.

“By introducing both rough and polished diamonds within the same creation, we offer a rare and tangible connection to each diamond’s path, from its discovery in ancient riverbeds to its transformation into a jewel.”

Steve Allan, head of GemFair, added: “The collaboration with De Beers London marks a significant milestone for GemFair as our beautiful, ethically-sourced artisanal diamonds are sold in a dedicated jewellery collection for the first time.”