CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

I would like to start this message with a world of praise for the bourses, manufacturing organizations and other groups who came together to contribute

to the creation of the IDC’s “International Rules for Grading Polished Diamonds” 2009.

The IDC-rules 2009 will be posted on the IDC website as a freely accessible document open to all.

The main feature of the rule is the new grading nomenclature for synthetic diamonds.
This nomenclature is the result of the CEN workshop agreement to which the IDC was invited to participate.
In addition to the IDC, representing the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), were the representatives of diamond mining companies, synthetic diamond producers, CIBJO, diamond producing countries and grading laboratories.

Indeed, and it should be noted, it was the first time that representatives of the main stakeholders in our industry came together to discuss an issue critical to consumer confidence in diamonds.  

Having taken over the challenging task of the chairmanship of our committee I have set myself one main task: to contribute to increasing demand for diamonds by enhancing consumer confidence through an efficient dissemination of a shared, transparent and clear grading nomenclature for diamonds.

It called for broad-based support beyond simply the WFDB and IDMA membership, and I thank my colleagues on the IDC executive for their support. I have been encouraged by the opinions and shared commitment expressed recently by industry leaders – both producers and retailers.

The IDC, which has been operating since May 1975, has been entrusted with a mission to create a set of internationally recognized standards for diamond grading and nomenclature that would apply all over the diamond world; to normalize working methods for applying those standards; and to encourage internationally recognized institutes to apply these accepted standards and methods.<<

The IDC is determined to continue to be a non-exclusive and open forum to all who wish to participate in good faith to ensure the long term integrity of diamonds through strictly enforced and independently verifiable best practices in relation to diamond grading and shared responsibility towards the buying public.

Living up to diamonds requires a firm commitment around shared values, and a unity of purpose, and I call on the industry to be worthy of it.

More than 30 years later, the mission is still very much the core of IDC's efforts.

Stephane Fischler,
IDC Chairman