Singapore: The World Diamond Heritage Board (WDHB) has announced the appointment of Mr. Suresh Hathiramani as Chairman and Mr. Alex Popov as Vice-Chairman, of the Selection Committee of the World Diamond Heritage List (WDHL).
A Historic Initiative for the Diamond Industry:
The World Diamond Heritage List is an initiative designed to identify and document the 100 diamonds that have shaped human history. It represents a unique opportunity for the industry to unite around a clear and meaningful project for the benefit of all — and will, over time, become a powerful platform to build a renewed narrative around natural diamonds, anchored in a long-term vision.
Nicolas Chrétien, Founding Member of the WDHB, states, “This initiative is very much in the same spirit as World Diamond Day, which we created. It represents a unique opportunity for the industry to unite around a clear and meaningful project for the benefit of all. Over time, it will become a powerful platform to build a renewed narrative around natural diamonds, anchored in a long-term vision. It is a duty for the entire industry to be part of and support this initiative.”
The Selection Committee Leadership:
Mr. Suresh Hathiramani is a respected figure in the diamond industry. With nearly 45 years of experience in the trade, he has served as President of the Diamond Exchange of Singapore for several terms, as well as Chairman of the Promotion Committee of the WFDB, and was a Founding Member of the World Diamond Mark 15 years ago. He represents an exemplary level of commitment to natural diamonds, combining sincerity, professionalism, and the rigour that defines his reputation.
Mr. Alex Popov, founder of the World Diamond Museum and Advisor for Industry & International Relations to the Qatar Diamond Exchange, is a well-known veteran of the industry. He brings unique expertise in diamond history, fuelled by a lifelong passion for diamond and jewellery heritage — expressed through initiatives such as organizing major diamond exhibitions and conferences, and publishing several books on diamonds, including the latest industry reference work, Diamonds Across Time. Together, they form a highly complementary team to lead this initiative to success.
A Call to the Industry:
Commenting on his appointment, Suresh Hathiramani states, “I am honoured to lead this eminent group of industry professionals and historians to identify and document the history of the 100 most important diamonds over the ages. These rare treasures of nature have been witness to the power, glory, victories, struggles and follies of some of the most influential and colourful characters of the past 1,500 years. We aim to make the World Diamond Heritage List the most important reference compendium for our generation and future generations to learn from — conveying the lessons of our history and heritage only as a natural diamond can.” IDMA, WFDB, Diamonds Do Good, and GJEPC have already confirmed their participation in the Selection Committee. Additional board members will be announced in the coming weeks.
