It’s been a tough few years in the natural diamond market – seriously challenged by synthetics, lower demand and shrinking supply.  How will natural diamonds do when assailed from these diverse by crucial market forces.  Together, they seem formidable and dominate our concerns for a stable market.

I will talk about all of these factors and more, and show how they not only reflect in today’s marketplace but also the future of natural and synthetic diamond sales.  Change is inevitable, as the saying goes, but recent changes will reflect not only pricing but our traditions and customs.

Mr. Jon Phillips is a Graduate Gemologist (GG) from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).  Mr. Phillips has been in the jewellery business for over 40 years and has worked in all of its “facets”.  He was the Divisional Manager for Canadian Diamonds at Corona Jewellery Company Ltd.   Jon has also worked for BHP Billiton Diamonds in both Vancouver and Antwerp. As well as Brinks in Vancouver, and as an instructor at Vancouver Community College.  Jon, along with his wife, also ran their own custom jewellery business out of Vancouver; this is where Jon obtained his training as a journeyman goldsmith. Currently, Jon writes the Diamond Market News for the Gem Guide’s bi-monthly newsletter.

Jon is also the past chair of the Assurance Committee of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and a past member of the Standards Committee.   He has also served as a board member for the Canadian Jewellery Association and is a past vice-president of the diamond commission for CIBJO and a past President of the Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct Committee (CDCC).