Jewelers of America and the Diamond Manufacturers and
Importers of America sent out a statement March 21 disagreeing with a recent
decision by the Kimberley Process chairman to allow shipments from the Marange
region of Zimbabwe, and recommending members do not trade in those diamonds.

“JA and DMIA are in full agreement with the U.S. Department
of State and other KP participants, who have challenged [the chairman’s]
decision on procedural grounds,” said a statement signed by JA chairman Matthew
Runci and DMIA President Ronald Friedman. “In particular, the State Department
has made it clear that it will view any shipments of diamonds that result from
the announcement as ‘non-KP compliant.’ … Until there is further progress made
on the various issues surrounding diamonds from the Marange region, JA and
DMIA  recommend that members do not trade
in these diamonds.”

JA also had advised its members to require “their suppliers
to provide additional written reassurances, beyond the World Diamond Council’s
(WDC) System of Warranties statement, that the diamonds they supply have not
been obtained in violation of applicable national laws and/or sanctions and
have not originated from Marange, Zimbabwe.”

For background on this issue, see “The Kimberley Process, at
War With Itself.”

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