GCAL has announced the launch of the second new Podcast series: Diamond Profile®. “As with our first episode, GCAL continues to bring real-time information from respected industry experts to the industry,” said founder and company president Don Palmieri. Angelo Palmieri, COO of GCAL, continued: “We set the bar pretty high with our premier broadcast, featuring two top executives from Stuller. So today, with so much going on in our industry, especially the diamond sector, we understood the importance of offering perspective from industry insiders who are truly tuned in to what’s going on around us.” 2020 continues to be one of the most, if not the single most challenging year in all our lifetimes. Everyone is focused on protecting their family, keeping themselves safe, protecting friends and colleagues, and of course, protecting their businesses.
Angelo further explained: “In business, we all have so many critically important questions. We’re searching for insight into the global activities that will continue to impact and shape the everyday decisions we need to make here at home. And we are honored to have Ronnie VanderLinden and Jeffrey Fischer to offer their perspectives. Their insiders’ awareness, based on a great many years of experience as leaders and veterans in our industry, is invaluable.”
Ronnie VanderLinden is currently President of Diamex, Inc., a diamond manufacturer and wholesaler. He is President of the DMIA (Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association), IDMA (International Diamond Manufacturers Association), and United States Jewelry Council, an umbrella organization of 16 US associations. Ronnie is former Chairman of the Board of the New York Diamond Dealers Club, Treasurer of the World Diamond Council, President of the 24 Karat Club; and board member of AGS and JVC.
Jeff Fisher is currently President of Fischer Diamonds, Inc., a family-owned diamond manufacturer and wholesaler. He has served as a member of the Board of GIA, chairman of the JVC, president and now honorary president of IDMA, president of the DMIA, and is a founder of the World Diamond Council. He also serves on the advisory board of the Diamond Development Initiative, whose mandate is to improve the living conditions of struggling diamond diggers in Africa, and to help create acceptable standards for artisanal diamond mining. He is also a past president of the 24 Karat Club of New York, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board.
In this second episode, Ronnie and Jeff discussed many of the issues that will impact our industry, with a particular focus on the upcoming holiday season. Included were the ongoing supply chain disruptions… viable diamond centers other than India, and the unique challenges each faces… the key diamond mining companies… the critically important issues in the natural vs. lab grown debate… diamond exchanges… price lists… and much more.
Future podcasts will continue to feature interviews with leaders of our industry, running the gamut from retail chains and independents to online retailers. From manufacturers and wholesalers to media and marketing executives.
