New York:  The Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America (DMIA) and the United States Kimberley Process Authority (USKPA) announced their plan to conduct a joint research project to study the trade in rough diamonds in the United States.

The study will educate the members of both organizations about the activity and nature of U.S. imports and exports of rough diamonds. The objective is to better serve the industry by gathering hard data about the trade in rough diamonds and to better understand the market forces that are driving rough diamond imports and exports. The scope of the research will include information about market trends, valuation, import and export flows, as well as sources.

The research project will be conducted by Dr. Martin Hochbaum and Cecilia Gardner, Directors of the USKPA, along with Jeffrey Fischer, a former DMIA president and honorary President of the International Diamond Manufacturing Association (IDMA). Mr. Fischer will be representing DMIA.

“Cooperation from the rough diamond industry to assist in this research project will be key to its success,” said Ronnie Vander Linden, the incumbent president of the DMIA and IDMA. “All members of DMIA are urged to cooperate when contacted by the research team!”