U.S. Kimberley Process Website Launched

The United States Kimberley Process Authority (USKPA) has launched a Web site designed to ease management of the Kimberley Process in the United States, and to serve as a model system for efforts to stem the flow of conflict diamonds worldwide, the organization announced in a news release.

The new Web site, USKPA.org, includes information on how to become a USKPA licensee authorized to use U.S. Kimberley Process (KP) certificates to export rough diamonds from the United States. It enables current licensees to manage their KP certificates in an efficient manner, to ensure compliance with appropriate U.S. legislation and regulations.

The Web site will facilitate U.S. Kimberley Process licensing, certificate issuance and record keeping for U.S. government compliance, making the process quicker and more efficient while reducing paperwork, the release states.

Gemological Science International (GSI), a New York-based grading laboratory, assisted in creating the Web site. GSI Chief Executive Officer Mark Gershburg said in the release that the Web site is an innovative step in the fight to keep conflict diamonds out of the trade.

"We believe that this Web site is the first of its kind in the world and may serve as a model of trade and government cooperation in the fight to eradicate conflict diamonds," he said.

Gershburg serves on the USKPA's board of directors along with Martin Hochbaum, managing director of the New York Diamond Dealers Club, and Cecilia Gardner, president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

Based in New York, the USKPA is a not-for-profit trade association formed for the purpose of administering and controlling usage of U.S. Kimberley Process certificates for the export of rough diamonds from the United States. The USKPA is authorized by the U.S. government to provide U.S. Kimberley Process certificates to licensed entities.