Ex-De Beers Exec Joins Inscription Specialist

RAPAPORT... Opsydia, a diamond security company, has appointed De Beers veteran Jonathan Kendall as a non-executive director.As a board member, Kendall will contribute to Opsydia's international strategy and will serve as an "advocate" for its products, the UK-based business said Tuesday. He will also advise the company on matters related to regulatory and industry bodies in the diamond sector, as well as on expansion opportunities in the US, India, southern Africa and China.Last year, Kendall stood down as president of De Beers Group Industry Services - the miner's grading unit - and of the company's Institute of Diamonds. He had worked for De Beers for two decades, with his accomplishments including launching the Forevermark retail program in 2005. The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) recently named him vice president.Opsydia uses laser techniques to create immutable, microscopic identifiers providing a physical link between a specific diamond and accompanying documents, such as grading reports. De Beers uses the inscriptions to mark the lab-grown stones it produces for its Lightbox jewelry line.Image: Jonathan Kendall. (Opsydia)