The United States District Court has announced that forms for use to make a claim under the De Beers class action lawsuit will be published on Dec. 21. The lawsuit and claim form covers only gem-quality diamonds. Both the claim form and guidance on how to fill out the form will be available on Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s Web site as soon as they are finalized.

In addition, jewelry industry members with questions about completing the form can contact JVC at 212-997-2002 or jvcquestions@aol.com. 

Starting on Dec. 21, a court authorized media campaign to notify class members about making a claim will begin. Advertisements in hundreds of newspapers, magazines (both trade and consumer), and on the radio will run until February 2008.

The Court also ordered that on Dec. 28, written notice about the claim form will be mailed, first class, to approximately 50,000 entities covered under the lawsuit. Those who wish to make a claim will have until May 19, 2008, to submit a claim form. The claim form must be postmarked on or before May 19, 2008, for it to be accepted.

“The claim form is not difficult to complete but it does require attention to detail and figures,” said Cecilia Gardner, JVC’s president, chief executive officer, and general counsel. “JVC will post on our Web site both the claim form and guidance on how to complete the form.”

JCK