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Diamonds Do Good Martin

Diamonds Do Good to Honor Anna Martin with Lifetime Achievement Award

Diamonds Do Good Announces 2026 Honorees: Anna Martin, Tiffany & Co., and CD Peacock to be Celebrated in Las Vegas

The global diamond and jewelry industry is set to gather for a night of prestige and purpose as Diamonds Do Good (DDG) has officially unveiled the distinguished recipients of its 2026 annual awards. In a celebration slated for May 28, 2026, at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, the organization will honor Anna Martin, Tiffany & Co., and the historic Chicago retailer CD Peacock.

Held on the eve of the JCK Show—the industry’s premier trade event—the Diamonds Do Good Awards have become a cornerstone gathering for leaders who understand that the true value of a diamond lies not just in its sparkle, but in the positive impact it creates for communities around the world. The 2026 roster of honorees represents a cross-section of the industry’s finest: a trailblazing executive, a global luxury house defining sustainability, and a legendary retailer deeply rooted in community service.

A Celebration of Purpose and Passion at JCK 2026

The Diamonds Do Good Awards are more than just a ceremony; they are a reaffirmation of the industry’s collective responsibility. As consumers increasingly demand transparency and ethical integrity from the brands they support, DDG serves as the global nonprofit dedicated to telling the stories of how natural diamonds contribute to sustainable development, healthcare, and education in diamond-producing regions.

The 2026 event promises to be a landmark occasion. By recognizing entities that span the pipeline—from financing and gemological standards to luxury retail and community engagement—DDG is highlighting the interconnectedness of the trade.

Pete Engel, the incoming chair of Diamonds Do Good, emphasized the changing landscape of luxury in a recent statement, noting that today’s consumers prioritize values such as responsibility and transparency. The selected honorees, he suggested, embody the philosophy that “real success comes from combining strong business results with purpose-driven impact.”

Anna Martin: A Lifetime of Leadership and Industry Stewardship

Receiving the prestigious Good Award for Lifetime Achievement is Anna Martin, a figure whose influence has permeated the highest levels of banking and gemology for over four decades. Martin, who retired in late 2023 from her role as Senior Vice President of Global Business Development and later Industry Relations at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is being celebrated for a career defined by breaking barriers and fostering stability in the global diamond trade.

Bridging Finance and Gemology

Long before she joined the GIA in 2014, Martin was already a titan in the world of diamond financing—a specialized and critical sector that keeps the wheels of the global industry turning. She spent decades in banking, holding pivotal leadership roles such as the head of industry banking at Standard Chartered and serving as Senior Vice President and Regional Head of the Americas for ABN AMRO.

Her work in these financial institutions was instrumental. By securing capital and providing sophisticated financial services to diamond manufacturers and dealers, Martin helped modernize the trade, allowing businesses to scale and operate with greater transparency. Her move to GIA marked a significant transition, where she applied her keen business acumen to the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls.

A Legacy of Service

Martin’s impact extends far beyond the boardroom. Her tenure as the Chair of Diamonds Do Good itself speaks to her personal commitment to the organization’s mission. throughout her career, she has been a vocal advocate for beneficiation—ensuring that the wealth generated by diamonds remains in the communities where they are mined.

Her accolades are numerous, having been inducted into the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Hall of Fame and serving on the GIA Board of Governors from 1997 to 2011, including a stint as Vice Chair. The Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026 will serve as a capstone to a career that has not only shaped global markets but also championed the integration of ethical business practices with commercial success.

Diamonds Do Good Martin
Diamonds Do Good Martin

Tiffany & Co.: The Vanguard of Sustainable Luxury

Few names in the luxury world carry as much weight as Tiffany & Co., and even fewer have done as much to modernize the concept of ethical luxury. In recognition of their relentless pursuit of transparency and environmental conservation, Tiffany & Co. and the Tiffany & Co. Foundation will be presented with the Vanguard of Sustainable Luxury Award.

Redefining Transparency with the Diamond Craft Journey

In an era where “greenwashing” is a concern for many consumers, Tiffany & Co. has set itself apart with rigorous, verifiable standards. The brand has been a pioneer in traceability, most notably through its “Diamond Craft Journey” initiative. This program shattered industry norms by becoming the first global luxury jeweler to disclose the country of origin for its newly sourced, individually registered diamonds.

But Tiffany didn’t stop at the mine. They expanded this transparency to share the full craftsmanship journey, detailing where each diamond is cut, polished, graded, and set. This level of disclosure provides consumers with the assurance that their heirlooms are sourced responsibly and crafted in facilities that uphold high labor and environmental standards.

The Tiffany & Co. Foundation’s Environmental Stewardship

The award also recognizes the immense contributions of the Tiffany & Co. Foundation. Since its establishment in 2000, the Foundation has awarded over $100 million in grants, focusing heavily on two pillars: responsible mining and coral conservation.

Long before it was a trend, Tiffany & Co. took a bold stance by refusing to use coral in its jewelry to protect ocean ecosystems. The Foundation has since supported the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) worldwide and advocated for stricter mining standards. Their recent work continues to push the envelope, with initiatives dedicated to combating climate change and protecting critical landscapes. By leveraging their brand power to advocate for the planet, Tiffany & Co. exemplifies what it means to be a “vanguard” in the modern luxury landscape.

CD Peacock: Chicago’s Historic Jeweler with a Community Focus

Completing the trio of honorees is CD Peacock, the recipient of the Community Impact Award. As Chicago’s oldest jeweler, CD Peacock holds a unique place in American retail history, but it is their present-day commitment to philanthropy that has earned them this honor.

Nearly Two Centuries of Resilience

Founded in 1837 by Elijah Peacock, the retailer is actually older than the city of Chicago itself. Its history is the stuff of legend; the business famously survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 because its merchandise was locked safely in a fireproof vault, allowing it to reopen and serve a rebuilding city.

Under the stewardship of the Holtzman family, CD Peacock has continued to evolve. The recent opening of their flagship “Mansion” at Oakbrook Center demonstrates their commitment to creating immersive, luxury experiences. However, their longevity is attributed not just to business savvy, but to a deep-seated connection with the people of Chicago.

A Heart for Chicago

The Community Impact Award specifically highlights CD Peacock’s “legacy of impact, leadership, and generosity.” The retailer has integrated philanthropy into its business model, supporting a wide array of local charities.

DDG cited CD Peacock’s support for the Beautiful Lives Project, an organization dedicated to creating immersive experiences for people with disabilities, and Cradles to Crayons, which provides essential items to children living in homeless or low-income situations. Furthermore, their work with The Community House and the Hinsdale Humane Society showcases a holistic approach to giving back—caring for both the people and the animals that make up their community.

For CD Peacock, selling diamonds is a means to support the city that has supported them for nearly 190 years. This award acknowledges that a retailer’s influence ends not at the sales counter, but extends deep into the fabric of their local society.

Why These Awards Matter for the Future of Diamonds

The 2026 Diamonds Do Good Awards come at a critical juncture for the jewelry industry. As the market faces challenges from macroeconomic shifts and the rise of synthetic alternatives, the “natural diamond dream” relies heavily on the industry’s ability to prove its worth to society.

The stories of Anna Martin, Tiffany & Co., and CD Peacock serve as powerful counter-narratives to outdated stereotypes about the diamond trade. They demonstrate that the industry is a vehicle for:

  • Empowerment: Through the leadership of women like Anna Martin.
  • Sustainability: Through the conservation efforts of Tiffany & Co.
  • Community Support: Through the local philanthropy of retailers like CD Peacock.

As industry leaders convene at the Venetian Resort in May 2026, the spotlight will be on these three honorees, but the message will be universal: Doing good is not just an option—it is the very future of the diamond industry.