Mark Gershburg, Founder and CEO of Gemological Science International (GSI), has announced his   decision to step down as a director of the U.S. Kimberley Process Authority (USKPA).

The USKPA,  a trade association working  closely with the US Government to prevent the infiltration of “conflict diamonds” into legitimate trade,  is said to be the only organisation of its kind in the world.

Gershburg  has been a proud   part of the worldwide fight against illicit diamonds, and has spent over a decade as one of the three directors for the USPKPA.

“It was a difficult decision to make, but the growth of GSI left me very little time for other activities,” said Gershburg. “I don’t want to be part of any organisation if I can’t dedicate my time to it. I hope that my departure from the USKPA will be an opportunity for it to bring in younger generation as my replacement. This way we can ensure that the fight against the illicit diamond trade will continue and the younger generations will be engaged in this important initiative.”   

He added: “I  on other hand will be able to concentrate on GSI while it continues to expand globally and diversify its services in the ever evolving diamond industry.”