Blacklock

What are conflict diamonds?

'Conflict diamonds' is the term given to rough diamonds which are used by rebel groups to finance armed conflict against legitimate governments. They were first brought to the world's attention in 1998 by a non-governmental organisation called Global Witness, who had evidence that a number of diamond mines in Angola had been taken over by an insurgent group called UNITA. These rough diamonds were then smuggled out of the country and sold, with the proceeds being used to buy weapons and supplies. Civil wars in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo have also been funded in this way.

Peace has recently been restored in these countries, but the diamond industry has worked with the United Nations, international governments and non-government organisations to implement a scheme to prevent conflict diamonds entering the mainstream rough diamond market. This is known as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

How the Kimberley Process Works

The Kimberley Process was set up in May 2000, and is an International Certification Scheme controlling the import and export of rough diamonds. It gives reassurance to consumers that they are not purchasing stones that are financing wars and human rights abuses.

Forty governments around the world participate in the Kimberley Process, and 99% of the world’s trade in rough diamonds takes place in these countries. Every shipment of rough diamonds which is exported across international borders is sealed in a tamper-proof container, and is accompanied by a government-validated Kimberley Process Certificate. The certificates are resistant to forgery, uniquely numbered, and include a full description of the contents of each container. The shipment can only be exported to one of the other countries which participates in the scheme.

Regulation of the Scheme

The World Diamond Council has laid down a system of self-regulation for the diamond industry to provide assurances for consumers purchasing cut and polished diamonds, and jewellery which contains them. Through this system, diamond buyers agree to only purchase their stones from suppliers who give the following internationally recognised warranty:-

‘These diamonds are purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations resolutions. We hereby guarantee that these diamonds are conflict-free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds.’

All our suppliers provide these guarantees to ourselves. We therefore are able to guarantee that our diamonds are conflict free and ethically sourced.

Ethical Sourcing

We make certain that we source diamonds ethically by dealing directly with recognised and respected diamond dealers, who guarantee their diamond sourcing. This ensures that we do not pass on diamonds that have been sourced by unethical means. All diamonds are supplied with a clear conscience.