Is the Diamond Industry Overregulated?

From the Kimberley Process to sanctions compliance, traceability rules, AML requirements and ESG reporting, the diamond trade operates under layers of oversight that few luxury sectors face. Supporters argue regulation protects consumer trust and shields the industry from reputational risk, while critics say it adds cost, slows trade, and disproportionately burdens smaller players without solving core structural problems.

In this discussion, Avi and Feriel Zerouki, president of World Diamond Council (WDC), explore whether these rules are strengthening the industry’s long-term credibility or gradually squeezing its competitiveness in an already fragile market.

Diamond Debates is supported by Sarine Technologies.