No gemologists yet in local diamond space

Phatsimo Kapeng | Tuesday February 12, 2019 16:09

 

This follows a question raised by MP Mephato Reatile on Monday asking the minister about how many Batswana gemologists and diamond trading specialists are employed at Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) and Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) and when Botswana intends to establish an Accredited Gemologist Association. 

The minister said the two companies only deal in rough diamonds not in polishing the jewellery segment of the diamond value chain. He indicated that ODC has a team of seven Batswana currently performing rough diamond valuation, assortment quality assurance and diamond technical sale lots creation.

Molale explained that DTCB’s mandate is restricted to sorting and valuing of rough diamonds, and in total it has a staff complement of 405, including those in the support functions. He said DTCB has 18 Batswana who are diamond sorter trainees.

The minister further explained that associations are naturally industry led initiatives. Therefore, should the local industry grow to such an extent that it develops a need for such an association they will welcome its formation.