The Diamond, Gemstone and Jewelry Administration is the professional branch of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor that handles all aspects of promoting the diamond, gemstone and jewelry industry, as well as development, modernization, and export of products abroad.
The division for supervising diamonds operates as part of the Diamond, Gemstone and Jewelry Administration.
The Supervision of Diamonds (1979) Law appoints the director of the Administration as diamond controller, and his deputy is appointed as deputy-director, deputy diamond controller and chairman of the advisory committee to the diamond controller, regarding the licensing of diamond traders, manufacturers, and gemological institutes. Representatives of the Diamond, Gemstone and Jewelry Administration who have been appointed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor constitute an accredited authority with regard to the import and export of diamonds and jewelry, and assist various enterprises with all aspects of import and export policies.
The Diamond Administration operates as a customs office for the import and export of rough and polished diamonds, gemstones, precious and semi-precious stones. This customs office, which operates under the supervision of the diamond controller, is the only such office in Israel which is authorized to release diamonds as import and export shipments, and to keep statistical records of such trade. This office is also authorized to issue and deal with Kimberly certificates. Also, supervising and assisting jewelry manufacturers in Israel with regard to marketing, investing in new equipment and technological developments. Assisting jewelers who participate in trade fairs overseas, recommend financial aid, and promote marketing.
The Administration also engages in the following spheres:
- Issuing licenses for diamond dealers (in accordance with existing criteria);
- Managing and recording statistics of diamond imports and exports;
- Giving recommendations to the investment center regarding applications for “approved enterprise” in the diamond and jewelry sectors;
- Offering assistance and training to new companies and exporters;
- Providing recommendations for financial aid.
- Representing the diamond, jewelry and gemstone industry vis-a-vis the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, other government ministries and their related authorities, in Israel and abroad.
- Representing the government before organizations and institutes in the diamond, jewelry and gemstone industries, in Israel and abroad;
- Dealing with the matter of standards with regard to jewelry production (such as the gold standard);
- Representing the government and the diamond industry vis-א-vis the diamond supplier – D.T.C.;
- Presenting government policy in international forums dealing with “conflict diamonds”;
- Supervising and implementing the import and export of rough diamonds in accordance with the rules of the Kimberly Process.
