In the diamond industry, where profitability depends largely on a dealer's network of contacts, secrecy is valued; large-scale transactions tend to be consummated in private offices. In addition, because properly valuing a stone depends on the ability to detect minor flaws and color variations, buyers prefer to examine large stones in familiar light. Furthermore, for security reasons, many dealers do not want it known that they have valuable stones in their possession.

Lisa Bernestein, Opting out of the Legal Sys…, loc. 41