The World Diamond Council (WDC) will hold an informational session during the JCK Show in Las Vegas, June 1-5, to discuss how the jewelry and diamond industries are working to combat the trade of ”conflict diamonds.”

This session, to be held in Room 104 at the Sands Convention Center, will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 3. It is open to all members of the trade.

The World Diamond Council is a diamond industry coalition that is cooperating with other interested parties-including the U.S. and foreign governments and the United Nations-to resolve the conflict diamonds issue. It is WDC’s goal to eliminate the flow of so-called conflict diamonds into the legitimate markets of the world. ”The traffic in conflict diamonds is destructive, immoral, and threatens the integrity of the entire industry,” Eli Izhakoff, WDC chairman, said.

Izhakoff will present a summary of the Council’s worldwide activities and involvement since its inception in September 2000. Joining him at the speakers’ table will be Matthew A. Runci, WDC’s Executive Director, who also chairs its U.S. Legislative Committee. Runci will present an update on the Council’s initiatives, to create a workable, enforceable, and practical legislative solution to the complex scope of the conflict diamonds issue, Izhakoff said. A Question & Answer session will follow the presentations.

JCK