MJSA Press Room

Providence, RI— The Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) is commending President George W. Bush and Congress for enacting into law the Clean Diamond Trade Act.
Bush signed the act into law on April 25, about two weeks after both the House and the Senate passed the measure.

The act enables the United States to participate in the Kimberley Process, and to help stop the flow of what has become known as “conflict diamonds” into the U.S. diamond market.

“ On behalf of MJSA and the jewelry industry, I thank President Bush for helping to halt the trade of these diamonds. Conflict diamonds are a global problem. Gemstone trading countries throughout the world must band together to ensure these commodities are not used to fund illegitimate activities, such as attempts to undermine legitimate governments and terrorism,” stated MJSA president / CEO James F. Marquart.

The Kimberley Process is the jewelry industry’s self-regulatory method for certifying rough diamonds’ country of origin. In countries where the Kimberley Process has been enacted, legitimate diamonds must be accompanied by a certificate that bears the title “Kimberley Process Certified,” when imported or exported. This allows the certified diamonds to be freely sold within U.S. borders and on the gemstone world trade market.

To become certified, diamonds must be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Each country exporting rough diamonds and participating in the certification scheme must establish a system of internal controls designed to eliminate the presence of conflict diamonds, designate an importing and exporting authority to monitor and conduct the certification scheme, ensure the rough diamonds are transported in a tamper-proof container, enact legislation for proper penalties for transgressions, and collect and maintain relevant import and export data.

MJSA has pledged, with other industry organizations, to provide constant updates on the Kimberley Process to ensure its membership remains in full compliance with all new regulations. Updates on the Kimberley Process can be found at MJSA’s Web site, www.mjsainc.com

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MJSA is a national jewelry trade association representing 1,500 members. MJSA’s mission is to unite and empower our members to advance the jewelry manufacturing industry. To learn more about MJSA and its trade publication, AJM Magazine, visit www.mjsainc.com and www.ajm-magazine.com.