De Beers Brings Its Grading Services to US

RAPAPORT… De Beers Group Industry Services will provide diamond-grading reports to RDI Diamonds in its first foray into the US market.

The grading-lab arm of the mining giant will be the exclusive provider of grading services for the New York-based diamond wholesaler’s Rare and Forever brand, De Beers said last week. It will also assist RDI with educational activities and sales training.

“This move will give RDI Diamonds something truly compelling to offer to their clients, from a company that is recognized as a leader in the diamond industry,” said Jonathan Kendall, president of De Beers Group Industry Services. “They can substantiate, clearly define and explain the differences between grades, guaranteeing the customer the highest standards of diamond grading.”

De Beers Group Industry Services — which changed its name from the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR) in June — has been providing lab services in Asia since 2017. It has partnerships with Singapore-based Soo Kee Group, in both that country and China, as well as Luk Fook in Hong Kong and bridal-jewelry retailer I-PRIMO in Japan.

RDI believes the De Beers grading reports will be “a game changer” for the US market.

“We have been blown away by the integration of unparalleled technology to ensure consistent and accurate grading,” explained RDI Diamonds CEO Michael Indelicato. 

Image: A diamond ring from the Rare and Forever brand. (RDI Diamonds)