In an appearance at a July 29 JA show panel, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jose W. Fernandez urged the industry to do more to track the origin of its diamonds.
“Consumers want assurance that the gems they are buying are not associated with people suffering,” said Fernandez, who serves as assistant secretary of economic, energy and business affairs. “If you are willing to responsibly source, you will get paid more and that will be a marketing opportunity.”
When a questioner called the KP ineffective, Fernandez countered that it was effective but needed to evolve. “It has outlived its original origins,” he said. “What it needs is to be expanded.”
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