DEF event scores additional sponsors

New York--A pair of large mining companies and one of the world’s biggest retailers are among the latest industry players to pledge their support for the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s annual gala in Las Vegas.

DEF announced that Rio Tinto and De Beers are joining Signet Jewelers Ltd. as premier presenting sponsors of the Diamonds in the Sky event scheduled to take place this June in Las Vegas.

Chinese retailer Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd. is the event’s premier partner sponsor while KGK Group and Le Vian Corp. join Tiffany & Co. as premier patron sponsors.

The black-tie optional Diamonds in the Sky event is scheduled for May 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. Attending the event will be members of the diamond industry, government officials from diamond-producing nations, dignitaries and celebrities.

DEF will present its 2014 Global Diamond Industry Achievement Award that night to Botswana’s President Ian Khama and the Government of the Republic of Botswana in recognition of their global leadership and contributions to democracy.

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“The immediate embrace by these global leaders of the … gala signifies a momentous coming together of the industry in support of DEF’s Diamonds Do Good mission,” said De Beers Group of Companies CEO Philippe Mellier. “We are delighted to be part of this special occasion honoring (Botswana’s) unique record of success in transforming its natural resource into sustainable, broad-based development.”

Benefactor sponsors of the event are: Arjav Diamonds, Blue Star Diamonds, Dali Diamond Co., Diacore, Diarough, Eurostar Diamond Traders, Julius Klein Group, M. Suresh Company, Pluzcenik, Rosy Blue, Shree Ramkrishna Exports, Sustainer Sponsors; American Gem Society Laboratories, Christopher Designs, Crossworks Manufacturing, Dalumi Group, Dominion Diamonds, the Gemological Institute of America, Interjewel, JCK, Leo Schachter, Niru Group, Rapaport Group, Taché, Y. Dvash and Empowerment Circle Partners; Forevermark, Dalumi Group, Malca-Amit, Brilliant Earth, Exelco, Leo Schachter, Sarine Technologies and Tiffany.

Additional information on the Diamonds in the Sky event can be found by contacting DEF Executive Director Nancy Orem Lyman at n.lyman@diamondempowerment.org or on the DEF website.