GIA Acquires 30% Shareholding in Diamond Provenance Blockchain Platform Tracr

Investment by leading industry institute supports Tracr’s evolution to becoming an independent, industry-wide platform for natural diamond provenance

LAS VEGAS, US - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 June 2026 - De Beers Group and GIA (Gemological Institute of America) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement for GIA to acquire a 30 per cent shareholding in Tracr, the De Beers Group-backed company behind the development of the pioneering diamond provenance blockchain-driven platform.

GIA Acquires 30% Shareholding in Diamond Provenance Blockchain Platform Tracr

The agreement marks a significant milestone in Tracr's evolution towards independence and reflects GIA's confidence in the platform's role as an industry-wide infrastructure to advance natural diamond provenance and traceability at scale.

GIA's investment – which builds on a 2023 initiative to include diamond provenance information registered on Tracr's platform on eligible GIA diamond grading reports – represents a significant step in this transition, reinforcing Tracr's long-term credibility across the diamond value chain.

Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said: "Consumers deserve to know where their diamonds come from and they should feel more confident in their understanding of each diamond's source. At De Beers we have been providing provenance data on diamonds through Tracr for several years and we believe that delivering provenance should become an industry standard. Following our promise to open Tracr up to broad ownership, we are proud to be partnering with GIA as Tracr evolves into an independent, industry-wide platform. We will work alongside GIA to advance provenance transparency for the entire diamond sector."

Pritesh Patel, President and CEO of GIA, said: "At GIA, our mission has always been rooted in trust, integrity, and consumer confidence. Our collaboration with Tracr over the past several years reinforced our belief that combining source-based blockchain provenance with GIA's independent grading and identification expertise can help unlock a new level of transparency for the diamond industry. As Tracr continues to scale globally, we see a tremendous opportunity to deliver meaningful, verifiable provenance information from the source to the consumer. We are proud to deepen our commitment through this investment and help shape the next evolution of transparency, traceability, and trust across our industry."

Jillian Wolk, CEO of Tracr, said: "The start of Tracr's evolution into an independent platform, as a result of GIA's investment, creates a strong foundation for the future. I am excited to continue scaling the platform and bringing more producers on board, which will support Tracr in enabling the individual journey of every registered diamond to come to life. Each stone carries its own narrative, defined by its source and the craftsmanship that has shaped it, and as Tracr continues to grow we have a fantastic opportunity to help reveal those unique stories."

Today, more than five million rough diamonds have been registered on Tracr at source, representing around two-thirds of De Beers'rough diamond production by value. Since January 2025, single country of origin for De Beers diamonds has been available on Tracr, with all newly sourced De Beers rough diamonds of one carat and above being registered on the platform.

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About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo-American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

About GIA
An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognized around the world as the standard for diamond quality.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism.

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BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 June 2026 - The Washington Blueberry Commission has solidified its market presence in Southeast Asia through the successful completion of trade seminars in Thailand and Indonesia, marking an important step in building awareness, trade confidence, and long-term market engagement across the region.

Held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 27 April 2026, and Jakarta, Indonesia, on 29 April 2026, the seminars brought together importers, distributors, retailers, foodservice professionals, media, and industry stakeholders for a focused introduction to Washington Blueberries and their market potential in Southeast Asia. Together, the Thailand and Indonesia seminars welcomed close to 100 attendees, underscoring the region's robust appetite for premium imported blueberries and the growing depth of trade opportunity.

The seminars were designed to advance market education and deepen understanding of Washington Blueberries among key trade audiences. Alan Schreiber, Executive Director of the Washington Blueberry Commission, attended as a principal representative of Washington Blueberries and delivered insights on their export potential, spotlighting opportunities for deeper and more sustained trade engagement throughout Southeast Asia.

Washington State offers a premium product that aligns well with growing consumer demand in the region for healthy, high-quality, and great-tasting foods," said Alan Schreiber.

Bryan Sakuma of Sakuma Brothers Farms also provided first-hand perspectives from a grower and exporter standpoint, giving attendees a greater understanding of Washington's blueberry supply capabilities, and the market opportunities available to regional partners.

Through product presentations, market insights, culinary applications, and networking sessions, attendees gained a comprehensive appreciation of the outstanding quality, versatility, and commercial potential of Washington Blueberries across fresh, frozen, and dried formats.

A key highlight of both events was the live culinary demonstration, which showcased the application of Washington Blueberries across foodservice, dessert, and menu innovation. In Thailand, the demonstration was led by Chef Arttasit Pattanasatienkul, widely known as Chef Big, winner of Top Chef Thailand 2023. In Indonesia, the demonstration was led by Chef Degan Septoadji, a respected chef and television personality best known as a judge on MasterChef Indonesia.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Washington frozen blueberries compared to other frozen blueberries available in the Indonesian market. They are able to hold their shape and texture very well, making them suitable for a wide range of culinary applications," said Chef Degan Septoadji.

Their demonstrations brought the product experience to life, showing trade audiences how Washington Blueberries can be used creatively across both Western and Asian-inspired applications.

In Thailand, the seminar at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok, attracted a distinguished group of importers, retailers, foodservice representatives, culinary professionals, media, and influencers. The event firmly positioned Washington Blueberries as a premium fruit of choice with potential across retail, bakery, beverage, dessert, breakfast, and health-focused product categories. The Thailand seminar further extended its reach beyond the venue through targeted media and influencer engagement, amplifying awareness among a broad consumer audience.

In Indonesia, the seminar at Park Hyatt Jakarta established a high-impact B2B platform for direct engagement with importers, traders, retailers, foodservice operators, and industry leaders. The event introduced Washington Blueberries to a dynamic market with rapidly growing interest in premium imported fruits, superior ingredient quality, and foodservice innovation. Through hands-on product education, guided tastings, and substantive trade discussions, the seminar built strong familiarity with Washington Blueberries and catalyzed conversations about future collaboration.

Across both markets, the enthusiastic response from trade audiences affirmed the outstanding relevance and commercial appeal of Washington Blueberries in Southeast Asia's evolving food and beverage landscape. As consumers and businesses alike continue to seek out premium imported fruits, healthier snacking options, and versatile ingredients, Washington Blueberries is uniquely positioned to lead retail and foodservice growth in Thailand, Indonesia, and across the wider region.

The success of the Thailand and Indonesia seminars reflects the Washington Blueberry Commission's unwavering commitment to investing in market education, partnership-building, and long-term trade development in Southeast Asia.

Hashtag: #WashingtonBlueberries

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Washington Blueberries Strengthens Market Confidence in Thailand and Indonesia