The World Diamond Heritage Board (WDHB) has officially opened public nominations for the World Diamond Heritage List (WDHL), an inaugural global initiative recognising 100 natural diamonds that have shaped human history through their cultural, historical, spiritual, and emotional significance.
Quick Summary
- WDHB opens nominations for the World Diamond Heritage List 2026
- Public nominations run from May 18 to June 18, 2026
- Participants can nominate up to five diamonds
- The initiative focuses on the human impact of natural diamonds
- The pre-nomination list includes 171 diamonds from 17 countries
- The project supports broader initiatives including World Diamond Day and Mission UNESCO 2028
Public Nominations Open
Public nominations are now open from May 18 to June 18, 2026. Participants may nominate up to five diamonds.
Official Announcement
The World Diamond Heritage Board (WDHB) today announces the official opening of the public nomination phase for the World Diamond Heritage List (WDHL) — an inaugural selection of 100 natural diamonds of outstanding historical importance.
Invitation to the Public
Nominations are open from May 18 to June 18, 2026. Every person — from industry professionals to diamond lovers — is invited to nominate up to five diamonds they believe deserve a place on the List.
Focus on Human Impact
The World Diamond Heritage List is not a gemological ranking. Its single defining criterion is human impact: the role each diamond has played in the history, culture, spirituality, and emotional life of humanity. What matters is meaning.
Pre-Nomination List
The Pre-Nomination List of 171 candidate diamonds — developed with the valued contribution of the Gemological Institute of America — spans 17 countries of origin, from India and South Africa to Brazil, Botswana, Russia, and Borneo, and is available as a reference for nominators.
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee, chaired by Suresh Hathiramani, former President of the Diamond Exchange of Singapore, and with Alex Popov, Founder of the World Diamond Museum, as Vice-Chairman, brings together historians, gemological experts, and leading representatives of the global diamond industry.
Chairman’s Statement
“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.”
— Suresh Hathiramani, Chairman of the WDHL Committee
Open and Transparent Process
The nomination process is open to all — industry professionals, collectors, historians, jewellery designers, retailers, gemologists, and anyone with a passion for natural diamonds. Public nominations are submitted through a dedicated online form, and the final list is established through a rigorous, transparent, and internationally validated process.
Founding Member’s Statement
“For centuries, diamonds have carried stories of civilizations, royalty, love, spirituality, craftsmanship, and memory. Yet no international framework has ever formally recognised their cultural and historical significance to humanity. The World Diamond Heritage List exists to change that. This is not simply an initiative. It is a responsibility. And it begins with you.”
— Nicolas Chrétien, Founding Member, World Diamond Heritage Board
Long-Term Cultural Vision
The World Diamond Heritage List is the centrepiece of a broader long-term cultural vision that includes World Diamond Day — created by the WDHB and launched on April 8, 2026 — and Mission UNESCO 2028, a long-term initiative exploring the recognition of exceptional natural diamonds as part of humanity’s broader cultural and historical heritage.
How to Nominate
Nominations open: May 18 – June 18, 2026
Nomination form:
https://wdhb.typeform.com/nominations
linkedin.com/pulse/world-diamond-heritage-pre-list-wdhb-org-8h3cc
About the World Diamond Heritage Board
The World Diamond Heritage Board (WDHB) is an independent initiative dedicated to identifying, recognising, and preserving the cultural, historical, emotional, and human significance of natural diamonds across civilizations and generations.
FAQs
What is the World Diamond Heritage List?
The World Diamond Heritage List is an inaugural selection of 100 natural diamonds recognised for their historical, cultural, spiritual, and emotional significance to humanity.
When are nominations open?
Public nominations are open from May 18 to June 18, 2026.
How many diamonds can a participant nominate?
Participants may nominate up to five diamonds.
What is the main criterion for selection?
The primary criterion is human impact, focusing on the role diamonds have played in human history and culture rather than gemological ranking.
How many diamonds are on the pre-nomination list?
The pre-nomination list includes 171 candidate diamonds from 17 countries.
Who can participate in the nomination process?
The process is open to everyone, including industry professionals, collectors, historians, jewellery designers, retailers, gemologists, and diamond enthusiasts.
Source: SVAR Media Network
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