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Conflict-Free Diamonds
What are conflict diamonds?
Conflict diamonds, also known as ‘blood’ diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
What areas of the world are affected by conflict diamonds?
The only current case of rebel forces controlling diamond-producing areas is in Côte d’Ivoire. These conflict diamonds constitute less than 0.1% of the world’s production, according to estimates from the Kimberley Process (KP) and the United Nations. The KP is working with the United Nations and neighboring countries to stop these diamonds from entering the legal market.
There is now much greater stability in the other countries that have previously suffered from conflicts funded in part by diamonds: Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Of course, fragile situations still prevail, and no one should make the mistake of losing interest just because the guns are silent.
The KP means that there is now the potential for the wealth created by diamonds to contribute to peace and prosperity in these countries, rather than conflict. There have been some promising results – 2006 was the DRC’s best year for diamond exports since the stones were discovered 100 years ago. In Sierra Leone, legal exports have increased 100-fold since the end of the war in 2002, bringing benefits for the estimated 10% of the population who depend on the diamond industry.
How do I know I am not buying a conflict diamond?
Although the Kimberley Process does not certify individual jewelers, reputable businesses should only buy from suppliers that can guarantee that their diamonds are conflict-free.
What can I, as a consumer, do?
Ultimately, the success of the Kimberley Process is in the hands of consumers. We appreciate your effort to make sure that you are buying certified diamonds.
The KP does not certify individual jewelers. However, a reputable business should be able to answer the following questions:
* How can I be sure your jewelry does not contain conflict diamonds?
* Do your diamond suppliers participate in the industry’s ‘System of Warranties’*?
* Can I see a copy of your company’s policy on conflict diamonds?
*The diamond industry has set up a 'System of Warranties' that complements, but is distinct from, the Kimberley Process.
Under this system, which has been endorsed by all Kimberley Process participants, all buyers and sellers of both rough and polished diamonds must make the following affirmative statement on all invoices:
"The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The undersigned hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds."
All members of the trade who provide such assurances should keep records of both their customer warranties and their System of Warranties statements from their suppliers. This flow of warranties in and out must be audited and reconciled on an annual basis by the company's own auditors. If asked for by a duly authorized government agency, these records must be able to prove that the supplier is in compliance with the Kimberley Process.
Failure to abide by the aforementioned principles exposes the member to expulsion from industry organizations. Under the terms of the Kimberley Process, it will be considered a violation to issue a warranty declaration on a sales invoice unless it can be corroborated by warranty invoices received for purchases. Failure to adhere to these principles will prompt investigation and could result in expulsion from the various diamond industry institutions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS
Sources: kimberleyprocess.com, diamondfacts.com
Conflict diamonds, also known as ‘blood’ diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
What areas of the world are affected by conflict diamonds?
The only current case of rebel forces controlling diamond-producing areas is in Côte d’Ivoire. These conflict diamonds constitute less than 0.1% of the world’s production, according to estimates from the Kimberley Process (KP) and the United Nations. The KP is working with the United Nations and neighboring countries to stop these diamonds from entering the legal market.
There is now much greater stability in the other countries that have previously suffered from conflicts funded in part by diamonds: Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Of course, fragile situations still prevail, and no one should make the mistake of losing interest just because the guns are silent.
The KP means that there is now the potential for the wealth created by diamonds to contribute to peace and prosperity in these countries, rather than conflict. There have been some promising results – 2006 was the DRC’s best year for diamond exports since the stones were discovered 100 years ago. In Sierra Leone, legal exports have increased 100-fold since the end of the war in 2002, bringing benefits for the estimated 10% of the population who depend on the diamond industry.
How do I know I am not buying a conflict diamond?
Although the Kimberley Process does not certify individual jewelers, reputable businesses should only buy from suppliers that can guarantee that their diamonds are conflict-free.
What can I, as a consumer, do?
Ultimately, the success of the Kimberley Process is in the hands of consumers. We appreciate your effort to make sure that you are buying certified diamonds.
The KP does not certify individual jewelers. However, a reputable business should be able to answer the following questions:
* How can I be sure your jewelry does not contain conflict diamonds?
* Do your diamond suppliers participate in the industry’s ‘System of Warranties’*?
* Can I see a copy of your company’s policy on conflict diamonds?
*The diamond industry has set up a 'System of Warranties' that complements, but is distinct from, the Kimberley Process.
Under this system, which has been endorsed by all Kimberley Process participants, all buyers and sellers of both rough and polished diamonds must make the following affirmative statement on all invoices:
"The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The undersigned hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds."
All members of the trade who provide such assurances should keep records of both their customer warranties and their System of Warranties statements from their suppliers. This flow of warranties in and out must be audited and reconciled on an annual basis by the company's own auditors. If asked for by a duly authorized government agency, these records must be able to prove that the supplier is in compliance with the Kimberley Process.
Failure to abide by the aforementioned principles exposes the member to expulsion from industry organizations. Under the terms of the Kimberley Process, it will be considered a violation to issue a warranty declaration on a sales invoice unless it can be corroborated by warranty invoices received for purchases. Failure to adhere to these principles will prompt investigation and could result in expulsion from the various diamond industry institutions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS
Sources: kimberleyprocess.com, diamondfacts.com