Rapaport bans Zimbabwe Diamonds

This was despite the Kimberley Process (KP) having allowed Limited diamond exports from the Marange diamonds fields to resume, following a suspension earlier this year.  RapNet parent company, the Rapaport Group, informed members in a trade alert notice on its website that, while the trading of Marange diamonds was legal in some jurisdictions, it was still illegal for US, European Union (EU) and UK citizens or entities to knowingly trade in these diamonds, owing to government sanctions.

"We strongly urge members to contact their suppliers and obtain written assurances that they are not being supplied Marange diamonds. US, UK and EU members may have a legal obligation to do so and should consult their legal advisers," the group stated.