Angry De-Beers will not sell any diamonds from Zimbabwe

De Beers high-quality diamond retail arm Forevermark will not sell any diamonds from Zimbabwe's controversial Marange fields, CEO Stephen Lussier said at the launch of the exclusive brand in SA.

This comes after the diamond regulator, Kimberley Process, last week gave Zimbabwe the green light to resume diamond exports from its Marange fields. International sales from Marange were banned in 2009 because of military interference in the country's mines, which included abuses such as murder and rape. Lussier said the Marange diamonds were generally too small and low in quality for the brand to sell.

In addition, Forevermark's selection process went well beyond adherence to the minimal standards of the Kimberley Process, said Lussier.