WFDB calls for further debate on issue of over-grading

The president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), Ernie Blom has expressed his support for the industry-wide debate on the issue of overgrading. 

He said it will be one of the issues on the agenda of the presidents’ meeting, a biennial gathering of the 30 members of the WFDB-affiliated exchanges around the world and of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, to be held in Tel Aviv from June 14 to 16.

Blom said it is critical that industry members, in different forums, hold debates on the issue of over-grading. He said that the industry needs to discuss the issue on an ongoing basis in order to find consensus on the direction to take and any possible solutions.

He said: “We will be discussing the issue of overgrading, for which there must be zero tolerance, at the presidents’ meeting. Is there a way of arriving at an industry consensus on grading scales to prevent confusion and to aid consumers in selecting diamonds?

“We must always remember that the end-buyer is critical and our aim is to help create tools that put the customer completely at ease with a purchase.”