40 | JUNE 9 • 2022 

“You can walk into the 
showroom and look for a 
specific diamond,” Ankawa 
explains, “but you’re not 
going to have one option, 
you’re going to have five, six, 
seven or eight options.”
Diamonds Direct also 
offers after-the-sale services 
including complimentary 
jewelry maintenance and 
a 110% upgrade policy. In 
addition, its business model 
cuts out the middleman, 
allowing the retailer to be 
involved in the entire dia-
mond process. It ensures dia-
monds are ethically sourced 
via the Kimberley Process as 
well, which eliminates trade 
in conflict diamonds. 
The price point, Ankawa 
says, is also highly com-
petitive. “We have items in 
the showroom all the way 
from $500 to $1 million,” he 
explains. Catering to a wide 

range of clientele, Ankawa 
says Diamonds Direct works 
with all price points. “We are 
good for everybody.”

BUILDING COMMUNITY 
CONNECTIONS
Managing the Troy show-
room is Jennifer Alter, a 
Michigan native who has 
worked in the jewelry 
industry since the age of 

15. Now, 36 years into her 
career in the field, she says, 
“I am thrilled to bring the 
Diamonds Direct concept to 
my hometown and be able to 
share all I’ve come to learn 
and love about the company 
with the community I’m so 
proud to call home.”
Diamonds Direct also has 
plans to get directly involved 
in the Troy and greater Metro 

Detroit community. Working 
alongside the Diamonds 
Direct Foundation, which 
was established in 2004 
to support local nonprofit 
organizations with a focus 
on women’s and children’s 
causes, the Troy showroom 
will be involved in various 
fundraising programs.
“We’re a big believer of giv-
ing back to the community,” 
Ankawa says. Fundraising 
efforts include donating jew-
elry pieces for live auctions, 
among other philanthropic 
programs.
As they continue to get 
established in the Troy 
community, Ankawa is 
looking forward to growing 
Diamonds Direct alongside 
other businesses in Metro 
Detroit.
 “We have found the right 
location,” he says, “and the 
right place.” 

Metro Detroiters 
have a new 
place to shop 
for jewelry at 
Diamonds Direct 
in Troy.

In April in Nashville, Tenn., Amanda Sweet, 
Michigan representative and first-time 
pageant competitor, was selected as the first 
Miss Voluptuous America in the historical 
International Grand Final for Miss Voluptuous 
Pageants. For her first pageant, she took 
pride in a platform that covered the work that she 
executes in America regularly, “Party with Purpose.” She 
believes that we can all make an immediate impact in 
our direct communities by adding service elements to all 
parties and gatherings. The next project Amanda is 
working on is the ReVamp Detroit, a sustainable fashion 
clothing swap.

Metro Detroit journalist Danny Fenster, who was held in a Myanmar prison for six months before being 
released in November, has landed a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University for the 2022-23 academic 
year. Nieman Fellowships are awarded to working journalists for sabbatical study. Fenster, 38, will study 
how journalists in exile use digital tools to continue reporting on repressive regimes, as well “the impact 
of Western foreign policy responses to these governments on reporters’ ability to continue working,” the 
organization says. The nine-month program, regarded as one of the most prestigious mid-career 
journalism fellowships, includes a $75,000 stipend. Fenster also was selected for a Knight-Wallace Fellowship at 
the University of Michigan.

Lisa Cohen, clinical nurse specialist in 
Acute Stroke and Neurosurgical units at 
Henry Ford Hospital, recently earned a top 
honor from the American Board of 
Neuroscience Nursing. She was recognized 
as Certificant of the Year, which honors one 
certified nurse’s outstanding achievements in 
neuroscience nursing. The recipient of this award 
contributes to neuroscience nursing through 
professional service, mentoring and education, 
patient and staff advocacy, and promotion of the 
certification.

here’s to

business SPOTlight

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