The International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) was founded at the end of the Second World War, and convened for the first time in 1946, in Antwerp. The late Oved Ben Ami sent the late Chaim Danieli to represent Israel at the congress. Danieli returned to Israel with a clear-cut recommendation: he believed that establishing a diamond exchange in Israel would greatly promote the industry. In an interview with Hayahalom (issue 97, 1982), Chaim Danieli recalled, “the IsDMA accepted my recommendation, and the Israel Diamond Exchange, which had to operate underground because of the draconian laws of the British mandate, was given a boost, which was further amplified after the State of Israel was established.”
In the course of time, a number of Israelis have served as senior officers in IDMA:
Presidents: the late Itzchak Spitz (1960-1962), Daniel Legziel (1986-1990), Ygal Hausman (1996-1998). Vice-presidents: the late Arie Ketzef (1970s), Uri Schwartz (1990s).
IDMA convenes bi-annually, at the same time as the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). The congress includes a session of the general assemblies of both organizations, where joint resolutions are passed.
At IDMA meetings, the representatives of the different manufacturers associations discuss current issues concerning the world diamond industry. The prominent topics in the 1990s and early 2000s include the structural changes in De Beers, diamond treatments (laser drilling, HPHT and others), synthetic diamonds and conflict diamonds.
IDMA currently comprises 12 diamond manufacturers associations: USA, Belgium (two associations), Germany, South Africa, India, the Netherlands, Israel, China, Sri Lanka, Russia and Thailand. The current president of IDMA, now serving a second term in office, is Sean Cohen of South Africa.
