Designer Diamonds, a family-owned engagement and wedding ring retailer headquartered in Munich, Germany, and the World Diamond Mark Foundation (WDM), a non-for-profit organisation established in 2012 by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), have signed an accreditation agreement that secures the status of Designer Diamonds not only as the first WDM retailer in Germany, but also as the very first retail jeweller to join the WDM Authorised Diamond Dealer (ADD) programme in Europe. Designer Diamonds, which specialises in diamond engagement and wedding rings, operates one store in Munich and two in Augsburg, all in the state of Bavaria.

"By joining the WDM Authorised Diamond Dealer programme, our three brick-and-mortar locations in Munich and Augsburg, as well our online store, are given an opportunity to stand out and market our diamonds and diamond jewellery more effectively," said Designer Diamonds' General Manager and GIA Graduate Gemologist Christopher Zoettl. "We are eager to work with the WDM, not only to use their current resources for retailers, but also to help the WDM adjust its services to our needs and as such help drive and boost consumer desire for diamonds in the German market!"

Christopher Zoetl, CEO of Designer Diamonds, signing the WDM ADD membership agreement

"The European market, including the German consumer market, is very different from the markets in Asia and North America," WDM Programme Director Krisztina Kalman-Schueler said. "European consumers are demanding when it comes to originality of design and the quality of the jewellery. Add to that the absolute need for transparency and proof of provenance i.e. consumer confidence in the retailer and the diamonds and diamond jewellery products on offer, and one understands the retailers' need for up-to-date information, as well as practical sales and educational tools."

Alex Popov, WDM Chair, signing the WDM ADD membership agreement with Designer Diamonds

"Munich is among southern Germany's most important business centres, with a large, well to do middle class," Chris Zoettl observed. "We are excited about the prospect to introduce our WDM identity to the consumer, and display the WDM Authorised Diamond Dealer seal and banner to our clientele. Everybody knows that in order to sell diamonds and diamond jewellery successfully, one needs to tell the diamond's story. From now and further, the WDM will be helping us tell that story, to achieve higher and more profitable diamond sales!"