As JNA celebrates its fourth decade, we look back at 40 of its stories that kept the industry abreast of major developments in the international gemstone and jewellery trade. Here is the first instalment of this special series.

Reported by Jewellery News Asia: 1983 - 1989

1. First edition of Hong Kong Jewelry & Watch Fair held
JNA August-September 1983 and October-November 1983

The first Hong Kong Jewelry & Watch Fair was held in 1983 with over 100 exhibitors. 
Editor’s Note: The show celebrates its 40th edition this year as Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong, organised by Informa Markets Jewellery.

2. Two cutting factories in Asia become DTC sightholders
JNA January-February 1984

Two diamond-cutting factories in Thailand became direct sightholders of the Diamond Trading Co (DTC). At the time, the DTC, a De Beers associate company, was responsible for marketing about 80 per cent of the world’s newly mined rough diamonds. The two Bangkok-based companies were General Diamond Cutting Works Ltd, established in 1979, and Thai-Belgium Industrial Co, established in 1980. DTC sightholders can buy rough diamonds direct from DTC sights held 10 times a year. 

3. Asia's first diamond exchange opens in Hong Kong
JNA March 1985

The Hong Kong Diamond Bourse, Asia’s first diamond exchange, was officially opened on March 7, 1985. To finance the development of the Hong Kong Diamond Bourse during the first two years, the general committee set up a founders’ fund.

4. World's first gem-quality synthetic jadeite produced in United States
JNA March 1985

Scientists at General Electric Company’s (GEC) research and development centre in the US produced the world’s first gem-quality synthetic jadeite. Although other research teams have produced sand-sized grains of jadeite, the GEC team of chemists, Dr. Robert DeVries, and high-pressure research specialist James Fleischer, were the first to synthetise the material of sufficient size and quality to be cut and polished into a gemstone.

5. India holds first government-organised gems and jewellery fair
JNA November-December 1985

India’s first government-organised trade fair for the gems and jewellery industry was held in Bombay from September 26 to 30, 1985. India Gems & Jewellery Fair 1985 was organised by the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council with management support given by the Hindustan Diamond Co Ltd. The government would regularly arrange jewellery exhibitions abroad, mainly in the Middle East, but this fair was the first to be held in India at a national level. Organisers stressed the importance of India establishing an annual trade fair to market its jewellery worldwide.

6. Argyle mine starts production in Australia
JNA January 1986

Argyle Diamond Mine in the Kimberley region of north-western Australia, considered to be the world’s biggest diamond mine, began production on December 1, 1985. The mine was developed at a cost of US$465 million by a consortium led by CRA Ltd and at the time was expected to produce 25 million carats of diamonds a year, estimated to be more than 40 per cent of current world production.

7. First ICA congress in Asia
JNA May 1987

More than 500 leading gemstone miners, cutters, wholesale dealers around the world were expected to gather at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok from May 18 to 20, 1987 for the second congress of the International Colored Gemstone Association or ICA. The event was described as the largest international jewellery industry conference and the first ICA Congress ever held in Asia.  The ICA was formed in 1984 in order to promote the understanding, appreciation, and sale of coloured gemstones throughout the world. 

8. First joint venture to mine diamonds and gold in China
JNA January 1988

The first joint venture between the People’s Republic of China and a foreign company to explore for and mine diamonds in China was to begin test drilling and sampling in Hunan province in May 1988. The company, City Resources (Asia) Ltd, was incorporated in Hong Kong in 1986. City Resources was 49.6 per cent owned by City Resources Ltd in Australia. Hunan is one of the three Chinese provinces which have diamond reserves, apart from Shandong and Liaoning. 

9. Nicky Oppenheimer talks about the CSO: past, present, and future 
JNA March 1988

Nicky Oppenheimer, chairman of the Central Selling Organisation or CSO (then De Beers’ official distribution channel), sat down with JNA to talk about his visit to Singapore for the World Diamond Congress in August 1988. He also discussed significant milestones and changes within De Beers and the CSO, including the acquisition of Anglo American shares in Consolidated Diamonds of South West Africa, which effectively gave De Beers control of diamond production in South Africa, except for the alluvial and government diggings. 

10. Argyle Diamond Mine goes public with pinks
JNA April 1989

The Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia was one of the first diamond mines in the world to mine, cut and polish, and sell some of the diamonds direct to the public. Argyle, through its marketing company, Argyle Diamond Sales Ltd, offered 16 pink diamonds with a total weight of 19.50 carats for sale at a public auction of gems and jewellery at Christie’s New York on April 11. It was the first time that Argyle has offered diamonds for sale to the public. Since the company started selling polished pink diamonds in 1986, they have all been sold by sealed bids at an annual tender in October at the company’s office, Argyle Diamond Sales Europe in Antwerp.

Read the second; third and fourth instalments of JNA’s top 40 stories in the last 40 years.

Click here for JNA’s 40^th Anniversary special features.