Antwerp, August 31, 2020 — In a move poised to significantly impact the global diamond industry, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) today announced the appointment of veteran industry leader Kim E. Pelletier as the Chief Executive Officer of its newly established and rapidly growing B2B diamond trading platform, Get Diamonds. This strategic recruitment underscores the WFDB’s unwavering commitment to fostering transparency, efficiency, and growth within the diamond trade, spearheaded by an innovative, non-profit initiative designed “By the industry, for the industry.”
Kim E. Pelletier to Lead Get Diamonds: Charting a New Course for the Diamond Trade
The establishment of Get Diamonds by the WFDB represents a pivotal moment for the diamond sector. As the only non-profit entity among major diamond trading platforms, Get Diamonds operates with the singular mission of serving the best interests of its members. This foundational principle ensures that every development and feature is aligned with the needs of diamond companies and retail jewelers worldwide, rather than being driven by external commercial interests. The platform’s operations are powered by Lucy Platforms, an Israel-based hi-tech company renowned for leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, including advanced artificial intelligence (AI), to create an unparalleled and sophisticated diamond trading environment.
The Phenomenal Rise of Get Diamonds: Redefining Industry Standards
Since its highly anticipated launch in March, Get Diamonds has rapidly ascended to become the largest B2B diamond trading platform globally. Its impressive inventory boasts 1.3 million individual stones listed, collectively representing a staggering total value of 5.8 billion dollars. This meteoric rise is not merely a testament to the platform’s technological prowess but, more profoundly, reflects a clear and urgent desire from within the industry for a viable, trustworthy, and value-driven alternative to existing trading models. The platform has effectively addressed a long-standing need for a system that prioritizes the collective good, fostering a more equitable and efficient marketplace for all participants.
The “by the industry, for the industry” philosophy embedded in Get Diamonds’ core operations translates into tangible benefits for its users. By eliminating profit margins and focusing purely on facilitating seamless transactions, the platform offers a more cost-effective and transparent trading experience. Its cutting-edge technology, developed in collaboration with Lucy Platforms, ensures robust security, precise search capabilities, and an intuitive user interface. Artificial intelligence algorithms constantly refine the matching process between buyers and sellers, optimizing efficiency and unlocking new opportunities that were previously unattainable through traditional methods. This innovative approach not only streamlines the trading process but also enhances trust and reliability across the diamond pipeline.
A Strategic Appointment: Kim E. Pelletier’s Visionary Leadership
Yoram Dvash, Acting President of the WFDB, articulated the strategic importance of Pelletier’s appointment. “We sought a strong leader from within the industry for Get Diamonds, in order for this extraordinary enterprise to reach its full potential,” Dvash stated. “Kim Pelletier is—we believe—the most qualified person to take on this position. As former Sales & Marketing VP for Polygon, Kim not only has the experience involved in managing and growing B2B diamond platforms, she’s done so successfully in a challenging marketplace.” Pelletier’s extensive background and proven track record make her an ideal candidate to steer Get Diamonds through its next phase of expansion and innovation.
Kim E. Pelletier brings a wealth of experience from across the diamond and jewelry sectors, making her uniquely suited to lead Get Diamonds. Prior to her new role, she served as president of IGC Jewelry & Diamonds, demonstrating her capability to oversee complex operations and drive business growth. Her distinguished career also includes significant leadership positions as vice-president at renowned brands such as Hearts On Fire, Memoire, and John Hardy. Furthermore, her foundational experience as a Field Director for De Beers’ Diamond Promotion Service provided her with invaluable insights into consumer engagement and market dynamics at the very source of the diamond pipeline. This diverse professional journey has equipped her with a holistic understanding of the entire value chain, from mining to retail, which is critical for navigating the complexities of the global diamond trade.
Kim E. Pelletier’s Enthusiasm for a Global, Industry-Centric Platform
Upon her appointment, Pelletier expressed profound excitement and humility regarding the new challenge. “I am both thrilled, and humbled, to be offered this exciting new challenge,” said Pelletier. “A B2B diamond trading platform created by and for the members it serves is clearly an idea whose time has come. Finding new ways to deliver strong business value to diamond companies and retail jewelers at Polygon was one of the most fulfilling challenges I’ve ever had. This will reprise that role, but now with a truly global reach, and with the full backing of the WFDB itself.” Her statement highlights a deep personal commitment to empowering the industry and building upon her past successes in fostering community-driven B2B platforms.
Pelletier’s vision for Get Diamonds is rooted in expanding its global footprint and enhancing the value proposition for its growing base of users. Her experience at Polygon, a pioneering B2B platform, will be instrumental in identifying and implementing features that genuinely resonate with trade members. The backing of the WFDB provides Get Diamonds with unparalleled credibility and access to a vast network of diamond bourses and their members, ensuring that the platform remains aligned with the highest ethical and professional standards. Under her leadership, Get Diamonds is poised to further solidify its position as the indispensable marketplace for the global diamond trade, continually innovating to meet the evolving demands of a dynamic industry.
About Get Diamonds: The World’s Premier B2B Online Diamond Marketplace
Get Diamonds, meticulously backed and robustly supported by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), stands as the world’s largest and most comprehensive B2B online diamond marketplace. This innovative platform offers trade members unparalleled access to an extensive volume and diverse variety of diamonds, facilitating seamless transactions across geographical boundaries. With an impressive roster of over 4,000 registered suppliers, each in excellent standing with WFDB-affiliated diamond exchanges, the platform ensures integrity and trust in every listing. Currently, Get Diamonds proudly lists 1.3 million stones, collectively valued at over $5.8 billion, attracting a substantial base of 25,000 registered buyers from every corner of the globe. The technological backbone of Get Diamonds is powered by Lucy Platforms, a recognized leader in developing sophisticated e-commerce solutions tailored specifically for the unique demands of the diamond industry. This synergy of industry oversight and technological excellence makes Get Diamonds an indispensable tool for modern diamond trading.
About the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB): Upholding Industry Standards
Established in 1947, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) is the apex international organization representing the global diamond bourses. Comprising 30 affiliated bourse members located in major diamond trading centers worldwide, the WFDB’s fundamental purpose is to diligently promote and protect the interests of its affiliated bourses and their individual members. Beyond advocacy, the Federation plays a crucial role in ensuring the harmonious functioning of the global diamond trade by actively encouraging the amicable settlement or arbitration of disputes that may arise between individual members of affiliated bourses, or even between affiliated bourses themselves. The WFDB is also a proactive force in the industry, continually encouraging the establishment of new diamond bourses to expand its network and influence. A cornerstone of the WFDB’s ethos is the pledge taken by members of its affiliated bourses to uphold the time-honored traditions, principles of mutual trust, unwavering consideration, and deep friendship that are the hallmarks of the diamond community across the globe. This commitment to shared values ensures a stable and trustworthy environment for all involved in the diamond trade.
About Kim E. Pelletier: A Distinguished Career in Diamonds and Jewelry
Kim E. Pelletier’s professional journey is marked by a long, distinguished, and exceptionally varied career spanning the diamond and jewelry industries. Her expertise has been honed through pivotal roles at an impressive array of notable brands, including DeBeers, Polygon, Hearts On Fire, John Hardy, Stephen Dweck, Michael Aram, and most recently, for DeBeers Sightholder IGC NV. This diverse portfolio reflects her deep understanding of different facets of the luxury market and the diamond pipeline.
Ms. Pelletier has actively contributed to many critical functions within the industry, with a primary and impactful focus on Sales and Marketing. Her leadership prowess was evident in her capacity as Vice President of Sales, where she successfully led high-performing sales teams at both Hearts On Fire and John Hardy. Beyond sales and marketing, Ms. Pelletier’s contributions have been far-reaching, encompassing key involvement in production planning, meticulous inventory forecasting, strategic merchandising, innovative product design, astute talent recruitment, and inspiring leadership across various organizations. Her new role at Get Diamonds will serve as the culmination of her extensive professional experience, allowing her to synergize her skills as she collaborates closely with WFDB members, the pioneering Lucy Platforms team, and the broader industry. Together, they will continue to build and refine a robust network that is genuinely designed by the industry, for the industry, ensuring Get Diamonds remains at the forefront of diamond trading innovation and service.