GemFair, a De Beers Group initiative aimed at formalising the artisanal and small-scale diamond mining (ASM) sector, has sold its first parcels of ethically sourced, traceable ASM diamonds via De Beers Group Auctions.

The lots contained diamonds of varying qualities and sizes, with the largest weighing 11 carats – all sourced from GemFair-registered ASM sites in Sierra Leone. De Beers said all gem-quality lots were sold, thanks to strong consumer interest.

GemFair has expanded to nearly 200 registered ASM sites from 14 when it launched in Sierra Leone in 2018. While GemFair has been purchasing rough from its members, bringing those diamonds to market required creating the GemFair ASM Assurance Programme, developing a digital traceability solution and producing a profile of the goods. The pandemic’s impact on volumes is also considered. 

“We’ve had a lot of interest from diamond buyers and jewellery designers in GemFair diamonds. We will continue to work at finding the best ways to bring the unique story of GemFair diamonds, and the role they have played in providing equal opportunity and enhanced working standards for artisanal miners, to a wider audience,” Steve Allan, head of GemFair, commented. 

According to De Beers, GemFair connects artisanal and small-scale miners to the global market through digital technology and assurance of ethical working standards. "By providing a secure, traceable route to market for ethically sourced ASM production, GemFair works with artisanal miners to raise standards and improve the livelihoods of the