The Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA) says it has continuously led the American diamond industry's campaigns to "address and eliminate reputational risks."
Its comments came in response to an article in JCK Magazine entitled The Diamond Industry's Sad Lack of Leadership, attacking the global industry's lack of activity on the issue.
The article slammed the diamond trade for allegedly not dealing with urgent reputational issues, adding that not doing so would lead the industry to lose market share to other goods.
DMIA President Ronnie VanderLinden said the article was welcome. He added that the industry occasionally required a "wake-up call." The article claimed the diamond industry was too occupied with in-fighting rather than tackling serious issues.
He said the DMIA had "steadfastly acted for generations not only to protect our industry but also to be proactive on ethics. We abhor violence and are very concerned about human rights beyond 'reputational risks.'"
He stressed that the DMIA has worked with other American bodies, such as the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), Jewelers of America (JA), the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers Association (MJSA), the American Gem Society (AGS) in confronting important issues. It also had a leading role in co-authoring the Diamond Source Warranty Protocol, he said.
"It is important to note that that we have been heavily criticized by some members of the international diamond community for taking this position and advocating it as a voluntary protocol that we feel should be adopted globally. But we will not compromise on this issue" VanderLinden added.
Rick Cohen, DMIA Director of Communications, added that the US Department of State often requests the DMIA's input on diamond industry issues.