Jewelers of America (JA) and the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) issued statements urging their members to take extra care in ensuring their diamonds carry proper Kimberley Process certifications, amid growing concerns of possible conflict diamonds being smuggled out of Zimbabwe, the National Jeweler reported.
Diamonds harvested from Zimbabwe's controversial Marange diamond fields have been banned since November, as part of a 12-month plan put into place by Kimberley Process-member countries to make Harare comply with KP directives. The ban will remain in place until Zimbabwe agrees to the appointment of Kimberley Process monitors for the diamond fields.
According to the report, the Jewelers of America group said it had reason to believe that Marange diamonds are being smuggled out of Zimbabwe with illicit or counterfeit Kimberley Process certificates, in violation of both international and US Law; prompting the group's request for extra vigilance by its members.
The Responsible Jewellery Council issued a similar statement, reminding members that they should not be dealing in recently exported Marange diamonds, and that they must fully comply with both the Kimberley Process and the World Diamond Council System of Warranties.
"Members are advised to exercise extreme caution when buying rough diamonds on the market to ensure that they do not originate from Marange, despite the current Kimberley Process Certification Scheme suspension," the RJC statement said.
