Vicenza, 01/09/06 - Eli Izhakoff, chairman of the World Diamond Council, will inaugurate the 2006 edition of Orogemma the Vicenza Fair’s international gold, jewelry, silver, watch and gemology exhibition.
Since July 2000 – date of foundation - the ultimate mandate for the World Diamond Council is the development, implementation and oversight of a tracking system for the export and import of rough diamonds to prevent the exploitation of diamonds for illicit purposes such as war and inhumane acts. As a result of the commitment and resolve of WDC leaders and members, governments and NGO’s the Kimberley Process Certification System was established in 2003.
Under the Kimberley Process, rough diamonds can only be exported and imported when accompanied by a certificate from the exporting country. By law, no rough diamonds are permitted to enter a Kimberley Process participant country without a certificate. The Kimberley Process stipulates that all rough diamonds are sealed in tamper-resistant containers and must have forgery resistant conflict free certificates with unique serial numbers, each time they cross an international border. Any individual importing or exporting rough diamonds between Kimberley Process participants without a certificate is breaking the law and will be prosecuted by the appropriate government.