Karen Rentmeesters, interim CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), has proposed expanding the certification process for diamonds beyond Antwerp. Rentmeesters suggests that diamond-producing countries, such as Botswana, should also establish certification nodes to verify the origin of their own diamonds. Botswana, already a sorting center for De Beers production, could potentially manage certification as well.
The AWDC supports the idea of allowing certain producers to certify their own diamonds. However, the ultimate decision on this matter will lie with governments rather than the diamond industry. Rentmeesters highlighted the necessity for G7 member nations and the European Union to adopt a unified approach when implementing sanctions on diamonds over half a carat, set to commence in September.
The initial sanctions, effective since March, targeted rough and polished diamonds of at least one carat.
