Australia’s largest jewellery buying group is taking members on a unique tour of the diamond industry in August–September 2027, linking the supply chain from mine to market. The trip will cover Botswana and Antwerp, Belgium, two critical hubs where rough diamonds are extracted, sorted, and cut before reaching retailers. For members, this is a chance to witness firsthand how diamonds move from the world’s largest diamond mine by value of production to the cutting floors of Antwerp, an experience few jewellers have the opportunity to observe directly.
The itinerary begins in Botswana, where members will visit the Jwaneng diamond mine, recognised as the world’s largest diamond mine by value of production. They’ll also tour the Diamond Trading Company’s rough sorting facility and a cutting factory, steps that trace the diamond’s journey from extraction to preliminary processing. According to the group, this is the first time members will combine visits to both the mine and the DTC facility—a distinction that makes the experience particularly unique for them and their customers.
Glen Pocklington, the group’s chief operating officer, framed the trip as more than just an educational outing. “These trips provide members with an invaluable opportunity to see the diamond supply chain firsthand, while also creating significant marketing opportunities for their businesses,” he said. The emphasis on transparency aligns with growing consumer demand for ethical sourcing.
Antwerp’s diamond traders and sourcing secrets
The second leg takes members to Antwerp, the global diamond trading capital. There, they’ll meet with sightholders—traders who handle rough diamonds before they’re cut and polished. Pocklington noted that members will have direct access to sourcing diamonds for customer orders, a practical benefit that sets the trip apart from typical supplier visits.
Botswana is a familiar destination for the group, with 85 members participating in previous trips in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. In March of this year, the group hosted a voyage to India. After the success of that trip, the group has now confirmed Türkiye as the destination for its May 2028 overseas trip, with an optional extension to Greece. Pocklington estimated 50 to 60 members will join the Türkiye trip.
Tools for smarter jewellery business management
Beyond travel, the group has rolled out two tools aimed at streamlining jewellery retail operations. The first is the Two-Minute Budget Builder, an interactive financial dashboard that compares a retailer’s performance against six key industry benchmarks. Sales and gross profit figures are entered monthly, generating a rolling 12-month estimate. Benchmarks met appear in green; those falling short turn red, a visual cue designed to highlight areas needing attention.
The tool reflects the group’s focus on financial clarity for members, particularly during economic downturns. Pocklington explained that its design stems from decades of working with jewellers, distilling complex data into actionable insights. While the Budget Builder addresses profitability, another initiative tackles compliance: a pre-filled AML/CTF (Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing) Starter Kit.
Enrolling with AUSTRAC—Australia’s financial intelligence agency, and setting up a compliant program can be daunting for small businesses. To simplify the process, the group has pre-populated the 11 required documents, allowing members to replace sample names with their own details. Pocklington acknowledged the complexity: “Enrolling with AUSTRAC and using the Starter Kits to establish a compliant AML/CTF program is a significant and somewhat complicated task for a business owner.” The pre-loaded templates cut down on administrative hurdles, though compliance still requires local legal review.
These moves reflect a broader strategy: equipping members with both operational exposure and practical tools. The diamond industry trips offer direct supply chain insight, while the financial and compliance tools address day-to-day challenges. The combination suggests the group is positioning itself as more than a buying group, it’s acting as a full-service partner for jewellers handling an industry where transparency, efficiency, and regulatory adherence are increasingly critical.
