HRD Turns Investigation to Police after Asking 3 Clients to 'Clear Account'

(IDEX Online News) – As the internal investigation at HRD Antwerp concluded, the lab decided to pass the findings to the judicial authorities. After the dismissal of four graders, three diamond firms have been asked to clear their account at HRD Antwerp.

HRD Antwerp has not named the three companies removed from its list of clients nor has it revealed any details about the events that led to the graders' dismissal.

Antwerp's diamond sector is rife with speculation about the investigation. HRD declined to comment about theses speculations.

“We have been able to localize the causes and sources of the grading improprieties and have found that it solely involves only a few individuals and companies," HRD Antwerp’s General Manager Georges Brys said Friday.

“As HRD Antwerp’s own investigation was fully focused on its internal quality controls and staff adherence to the strict grading rules, the HRD Antwerp board unanimously felt that all the findings of the internal investigations should be passed on to the appropriate authorities."

The investigation findings include suspicions of possible legal "infringements."

“Our policy for absolutely zero tolerance to any possible irregularity remains firmly rooted in our culture," Brys added.