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Rapaport to speak on undisclosed synthetics
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) has announced that Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group, will give a speech at its November conference about the issue of undisclosed synthetics, which again has been making headlines in the trade.
London--The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) has announced that Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group, will give a speech at its November conference about the issue of undisclosed synthetics, which again has been making headlines in the trade.
“The diamond trade must wake up to the fact that diamonds are only as good as the people who sell them,” Rapaport said in a statement. “The mixing of blood diamonds and synthetic diamonds with legitimate diamonds and their fraudulent sale to consumers is evil and must be stopped. Responsible jewelers and consumers must reject unethical suppliers who should be named, blamed and shamed.”
His presentation also will include insights into the obstacles and opportunities facing the diamond industry as well as practical policy guidelines to ensure a sustainable, ethical diamond trade.
A number of reports have surfaced lately indicating that large volumes of undisclosed synthetic melee being mixed in with parcels of natural diamonds, reports that have prompted calls for the industry to act.
Rapaport’s speech is scheduled for Sunday at 1:45 p.m. at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London. Additional information about the speech, as well as a copy of it, can be obtained by emailing media@diamonds.net.
Registration for attendance can be made through Amandine Rongy, marketing and events manager of Gem-A, at amandine@gem-a.com.
Gem-A’s five-day conference will take place Friday through Tuesday at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, offering seminars, workshops and networking for attendees. It will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first gemology diploma and the 50th anniversary of the first awarded diamond diploma.
Additional information on speakers, seminars, museum trips and conference events can be found on Gem-A.com.
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