Press Releases

Rapaport Takes Action Following Russian Invasion

It has suspended all activity with all Russian and Belarusian companies.

Published

2 years ago

April 7, 2022

Press Releases

(PRESS RELEASE) LAS VEGAS, NV — The Rapaport Group of Companies has suspended all activity with all Russian and Belarusian companies. This includes Rapaport Information Services, RapNet Trading Network, Auctions, Brokerage and Quality Control services for both sanctioned and unsanctioned companies.

RapNet — the world’s largest diamond trading network, with daily listings of 1.7 million polished diamonds valued at $8.7 billion — has implemented new software that enables sellers to list the source of rough diamonds and allows buyers to search by rough source.

Buyers wishing to avoid polished diamonds sourced from Russian rough are encouraged to request the following statement on all invoices: “The polished diamonds herein invoiced are cut from rough mined in [country].” Alternatively, for polished of unknown rough sources: “To the best of our knowledge, the polished diamonds herein invoiced do not originate from Russian rough diamonds exported after April 1, 2022.”

Rapaport Information Services announces the launch of SR.RAPAPORT.COM, dedicated to providing a centralized source of information about social responsibility in the jewelry industry. The site features comprehensive resources and contacts.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine. We pray for peace. We believe the best way to deal with the legal and ethical aspects of Russia’s invasion is to promote and enable honest transparency about the source of diamonds,” said Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group.

View our statements about Russian sanctions and additional information about blood diamonds here.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”