On April 2, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of the De Beers antitrust settlement.

The court gave no further comment on the case, which is listed as David T. Murray vs. Shawn Sullivan et al. 

However, it’s possible a second appeal may be presented to the court, according to a press statement from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. At press time no appeal has been filed.

“Payment of claims will likely be delayed until the Supreme Court acts on the second petition for certiorari,” the JVC added.

As to how much money people should expect when the checks do finally go out, JVC president and CEO Cecilia Gardner estimates that trade claimants will probably earn enough to take their staff out to a decent lunch.

For consumer claimants, it depends on the size of the claim. However, she predicts most will only get enough to buy lunch for one.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs declined comment.

JCK