Martin Rapaport began his career in the diamond industry in 1975 as an apprentice diamond cleaver in Antwerp Belgium. In 1978, he established the Rapaport Diamond Report, the primary source of diamond price and market information. In 1980, he created RapNet – The Rapaport Network, the first and world’s largest electronic diamond trading network. RapNet currently provides daily diamond listings of 930,000 diamonds worth over $6.2 billion dollars. It has over 7,000 members of the diamond trade in 80 countries.

The Rapaport Group provides diamond grading and certification services with GIA Lab Direct services in India, Israel and Belgium. The Group’s trading division operates rough and polished diamond tenders and provides international clearing house services providing guaranteed cash transactions, consolidated shipping and quality control services. The Group employs 180 employees with ten offices in the U.S., Belgium, Israel, India, Dubai, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The Rapaport Group is a primary advocate of free, fair, efficient and competitive diamond markets. Martin Rapaport played an integral part in the establishment of the Kimberley Process. He is a strong advocate of diamonds for development, an ethical diamond trade, and the establishment of a Fair Trade Jewelry sector that will improve the lives of millions of impoverished artisanal diggers, diamond cutters and jewelry makers.

Memberships include: Jewelers for Children Charity Fund (Director) U.S. Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association, New York Diamond Dealers Club (Director 1984-1990), Israel Diamond Exchange, Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association. Belgium Diamond Bourse, Indian gem and Jewelry Promotion Council, Dubai Diamond Exchange, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Jewelers of America, Diamond Federation of Hong Kong.

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