About BDI

Our Goal

Better Diamond Initiative (BDI) is a collection of thoughts, opinions and news based on views, facts and reports published around the world on the diamond and related industry.

The world has gone through drastic changes and customers have gravitated towards buying habits that in many cases the jewelry industry has failed to compete with. The competition is no longer within the industry alone but outside it as well. Every other brand or category (luxury goods, electronics, automobiles etc.) are successfully communicating their value proposition in an effective manner – they have gone green, online and innovating every day. We think that we need fresh, young opinions about today’s customer and today’s diamond market. We intend to have an open discussion about what we as consumers want and what we as industry members need to do to deliver them.

BDI also aims at creating a global consciousness in opposition to the countless atrocities being done against nature, mankind and mother earth. Our mission is to create awareness relating to diamond related conflicts, human rights and sustainable economic development. We envision a future where diamonds do not claim any lives and offer an opportunity of economic development for everyone so that our children can wake up to a world, which has a healthy environment and fair opportunity for everyone.

We assure you that we will endeavor to voice your opinion, get it heard and hopefully, gradually change what is needed for that Better Diamond in your hands.

About Us

BDI has been initiated and is headed by Vyom Shah, an entrepreneur and strategy consultant based out of India. Vyom closely follows the global Gem and Jewelry Industry and is intrigued by the way Diamonds have shaped several economies, impacted markets and becoming part of our lives in more ways than one. He realized the need of an opinion sharing platform in the industry and founded BDI. BDI is supported and keen to engage several bloggers, authors, experts, contributors and readers.

Contributors

Andrew Hoffman

Andrew Hoffman is a freelance writer and journalist from Los Angeles, CA, who has written on behalf of a range of clients including the Livestrong Network and Demand Media. In addition to writing about a range of topics, he enjoys surfing in Santa Monica and collecting classic first-edition novels.

Rosalinda Sanquiche

Rosalinda Sanquiche is Executive Director & COO, Ethical Markets Media. She globally manages the Green Transition Scoreboard® tracking trillions in private green investments; EthicMark Awards; Ethical Money Directory setting standards for professionally managed assets incorporating ESG criteria; and Principles of Ethical Biomimicry Finance®. Her childhood hiking Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest convinced her we must behave sustainably to preserve our magnificent world for generations. She has written for The Guardian, Sustainable Brands, CSRWire, Builder/Architect and others on environment, sustainability and media, and taught environmental policy and field classes combining ecology and policy. She is on the board of directors for ISSP (International Society of Sustainability Professionals) and advises Synergy Asset Strategies, Inc., and 3 Sisters Investments. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with awards from the National Science and National Hispanic Foundations, earning an MA in Environmental and Resource Policy as a George Washington University Fellow.

Vyom Shah

Founder – Better Diamond Initiative. Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant with 10+ years of experience. Diamond enthusiast.

Aasha Gulrajani Swarup

Aasha is a writer with a law degree and a nose for news. She has worked as a business journalist with various mainline newspapers, magazines and online portals in Mumbai and Delhi. Her deep interest in diamonds took her for a walk within the depths of the Kimberley Diamond Mine, in South Africa and has resulted in various stories for newspapers and extensive features for specialised publications catering to the diamond trade, including Diamond World and Indian Jeweller. She cares for the Earth and favours responsible diamond practices to be made mandatory for the diamond industry around the globe.

Anna-Mieke Anderson

Anna-Mieke Anderson is the CEO and Founder of MiaDonna and Company – mother and consumer turned philanthropist and entrepreneur. When Anna-Mieke discovered she had most likely purchased a conflict diamond she set out on a single mission to provide consumers with a beautiful, ethical and affordable diamond — made in a modern-day lab environment and created without negatively harming native communities or the earth, while being the sustainable funding source to help repair diamond mining communities.

Edward Fleming

Edward Fleming is a registered fairtrade goldsmith based in London and is a designer and maker of fine jewellery. Trained in London’s Hatton Garden and soon to enrol at Central Saint Martins college to further study jewellery design. Fascinated by gemstones, their unique properties and a firm believer that if demand for diamonds is to be sustained beyond the super rich, ethics and marketing must play a leading role.

Forum Damani

Forum is a student of Jewellery design and manufacturing technology and has interned at a leading Jewelry manufacturing company. Apart from being passionate about Diamonds, she’s an avid blogger who enjoys baking and sketching.

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Jennifer Kirkland

Jennifer is the President of World Web Content Writers. An ardent blogger, Jennifer enjoys music and describers herself as a committed idealist.

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Lucy Sherwood

Lucy is the founder of Rock & Raw, creating fine jewellery for rock chick yogis and spiritual warriors. Lucy is a dedicated yogi and spiritual trail blazer – committed to creating bold and beautiful pieces crafted from the finest materials.

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Priyam Daga

Priyam is the Founder Director of AIGJ (Auric Institute of Jewellery Design & Gemological Lab) – Central India’s premier institute for Jewelry design and Diamond grading. A Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) and Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.) from GIA, Priyam is also the Jewelry Designer & Creator for renowned jewelry business house – Auric Gems & Jewellery.