International Diamond Manufacturers Association members voted unanimously on Tuesday to apply for membership in the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).

The vote took place as part of the IDMA Presidents' Meeting, currently under way in Gaborne, Botswana.

This year's IDMA Presidents' Meeting opened with the first-ever diamond beneficiation pitso (a local word for a round table discussion) at which members of the global diamond industry and representatives of diamond companies operating in Botswana discussed how the local diamond sector could best benefit the residents of Botswana.

According to IDMA Secretary General Ronnie VanderLinden, the principles and objectives of the RJC – an organization dedicated to ensuring transparency, social and environmental responsibility, and ethical practices to all stages of the diamond and jewelry supply chain – are "in line with the IDMA's Code of Conduct" and the IDMA wants to join the RJC's efforts.

The IDMA also unveiled its new logo and website, which can now be accessed at the address www.idma.co .