(Rapaport…June 20, 2000) Jewelers of America (JA) has issued two contracts to be signed by its 10,000 members that will be used in its efforts to stop the trade of conflict diamonds.
The JA’s Member Vendor Guidance on the African Diamond Controversy asks each vendor to, “work closely with their diamond supplier to ensure that they do not knowingly purchase diamonds from conflict areas, and the JA’s Members Public Statement on the African Diamond Controversy, asks members to, “fully support a policy of not purchasing diamonds illicitly seized and sold by rebel forces in Angola, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
“We recognize the importance of stopping the flow of conflict diamonds and fully pledge our support to those working toward that end,” said Matthew Runci, JA president and CEO.