Industry pays tribute to Nicky Oppenheimer in Antwerp

A gathering of Antwerp's DTC Sightholders, diamond brokers and members of the AWDC, paid tribute to Nicky Oppenheimer, retiring Chairman of the De Beers Group at a gala dinner in Antwerp.

The tribute captured the legacy of the Oppenheimer family for its immense contribution to the global diamond industry.

CEO of the AWDC Ari Epstein: "Nicky Oppenheimer continued the legacy of his grandfather and father as a leader of the global diamond family, and not in the least as a pioneer in recognizing the need to adapt to the demands of today's society for sustainable and responsible business models. In gratitude of his tremendous leadership, all the Sightholders and brokers present have donated € 20,000 to four different charitable projects that match those ideas perfectly."

Nicky Oppenheimer, who was accompanied by his wife, said the sale of the Oppenheimer share would be concluded within the next few weeks. In his speech, Oppenheimer said, "although the industry might be going through a rough period, as long as we behave ethically, the emotional impact of diamonds will take us through challenging times. The world is going to recover, and when it does, people will want diamonds as never before". He concluded with gratitude towards Antwerp “for taking me into the diamond family and making us part of the community here and becoming our friends."

AWDC's President Stéphane Fischler underlined that solid family values of trusteeship form the basis of the Oppenheimers leadership, a link that ties together so many members of the diamond industry in Antwerp and worldwide.