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"Where Your Trust Is Worth More Than Gold"
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Windle's Jewelry Online > Knowledge Center> Conflict Diamonds
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The following was taken from a brochure published by the World Diamond Council.
More information and sources can be found at their website www.diamondfacts.org.
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Ensuring Your Diamond Is Conflict-Free
The Success of the Kimberly Process
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- Ensuring Your Diamond Is Conflict Free
In the late 1990s the world became aware that rebel armies in pats of Central and
Western Africa were illegally using the diamond trade to fund conflict against
legitimate, internationally recognized governments.
The rebels used inhumane practices, including torture and slavery, to extract
diamonds from the region. These diamonds became known as conflict diamonds,
also referred to as "blood diamonds."
Putting a stop to this human rights crisis became one of the highest
priorities for governments, the United Nations, the diamond industry,
and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
- Industry Stance on Conflict Diamonds
The global diamond industry has a zero-tolerance policy towards the
trade in conflict diamonds.
In 2000, the World Diamond Council was formed to help eradicate the trade in
conflict diamonds. Together with NGOs and governments the Kimberly Process
was adopted which banned the sale of conflict diamonds.
The Kimberley Process is law in 69 countries and is backed by the United
Nations.
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- What Has Been Done To Eliminate Conflict Diamonds?
Under the Kimberley Process, rough diamonds are sealed in tamper resistant containers and certified conflict-free by a strict
system of forgery-resistant documents and serial numbers. This documentations is re-certified each time a rough diamond
crosses an international border.
Diamond traders that do not comply with the Kimberley Process are breaking the law in participant countries.
To further safeguard the legitimate diamond supply, companies selling diamonds must provide a written statement to all
retailers declaring that their diamonds are from sources free from conflict. Retailers are required to source their diamonds only
from suppliers who have provided this assurance.
Because of the Kimberley Process, more than 99% of all diamonds are from sources free from conflict.
But the diamond industry will not stop until every conflict diamond is eradicated.
- How to Buy With Confidence
Always buy from a reputable jeweler.
A reputable jeweler should only buy from suppliers that can warrant that their diamonds are from sources free
from conflict.
Your jeweler should be able to answer the following questions:
- How can I be sure that none of your jewelry contains conflict diamonds?
- Do you know whether your diamond suppliers participate in the System of Warranties?
- Can I see a copy of your company's policy on conflict diamonds?
The UN, governments, NGOs, and the industry continue to work together to improve the Kimberley Process and the
international monitoring of the process so that the goal of zero conflict diamonds can be reached.
The industry is committed to diamonds being used to provide real benefits to the communities where they are sourced.
To learn more about the industry's efforts to eliminate conflict diamonds and how these assurances are creating prosperity for
Africa visit www.diamondfacts.org.
The World diamond Council was created by industry in 2000 to specifically confront the issue of conflict diamonds
on behalf of the entire diamond industry which expressed outrage at the issue and pledged a zero conflict diamond
policy.
Members cover a broad range of the industry, including mining houses, diamond jewelry manufacturers ad retailers.
Today, due to the success of the UN-mandated Kimberley Process, consumers can be assured that more than 99% of diamonds are
from sources free from conflict. However the diamond industry believes that one conflict diamond is one too many and will not
rest until they are eradicated completely.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
"Where Your Trust Is Worth More Than Gold"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Windle's Jewelry Online > Knowledge Center> Conflict Diamonds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following was taken from a brochure published by the World Diamond Council.
More information and sources can be found at their website www.diamondfacts.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ensuring Your Diamond Is Conflict-Free
The Success of the Kimberly Process
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the late 1990s the world became aware that rebel armies in pats of Central and
Western Africa were illegally using the diamond trade to fund conflict against
legitimate, internationally recognized governments.
The rebels used inhumane practices, including torture and slavery, to extract
diamonds from the region. These diamonds became known as conflict diamonds,
also referred to as "blood diamonds."
Putting a stop to this human rights crisis became one of the highest
priorities for governments, the United Nations, the diamond industry,
and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
- Industry Stance on Conflict Diamonds
The global diamond industry has a zero-tolerance policy towards the
trade in conflict diamonds.
In 2000, the World Diamond Council was formed to help eradicate the trade in
conflict diamonds. Together with NGOs and governments the Kimberly Process
was adopted which banned the sale of conflict diamonds.
The Kimberley Process is law in 69 countries and is backed by the United
Nations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
- What Has Been Done To Eliminate Conflict Diamonds?
Under the Kimberley Process, rough diamonds are sealed in tamper resistant containers and certified conflict-free by a strict
system of forgery-resistant documents and serial numbers. This documentations is re-certified each time a rough diamond
crosses an international border.
Diamond traders that do not comply with the Kimberley Process are breaking the law in participant countries.
To further safeguard the legitimate diamond supply, companies selling diamonds must provide a written statement to all
retailers declaring that their diamonds are from sources free from conflict. Retailers are required to source their diamonds only
from suppliers who have provided this assurance.
Because of the Kimberley Process, more than 99% of all diamonds are from sources free from conflict.
But the diamond industry will not stop until every conflict diamond is eradicated.
- How to Buy With Confidence
Always buy from a reputable jeweler.
A reputable jeweler should only buy from suppliers that can warrant that their diamonds are from sources free
from conflict.
Your jeweler should be able to answer the following questions:
- How can I be sure that none of your jewelry contains conflict diamonds?
- Do you know whether your diamond suppliers participate in the System of Warranties?
- Can I see a copy of your company's policy on conflict diamonds?
The UN, governments, NGOs, and the industry continue to work together to improve the Kimberley Process and the
international monitoring of the process so that the goal of zero conflict diamonds can be reached.
The industry is committed to diamonds being used to provide real benefits to the communities where they are sourced.
To learn more about the industry's efforts to eliminate conflict diamonds and how these assurances are creating prosperity for
Africa visit www.diamondfacts.org.
The World diamond Council was created by industry in 2000 to specifically confront the issue of conflict diamonds
on behalf of the entire diamond industry which expressed outrage at the issue and pledged a zero conflict diamond
policy.
Members cover a broad range of the industry, including mining houses, diamond jewelry manufacturers ad retailers.
Today, due to the success of the UN-mandated Kimberley Process, consumers can be assured that more than 99% of diamonds are
from sources free from conflict. However the diamond industry believes that one conflict diamond is one too many and will not
rest until they are eradicated completely.
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Copyright 2006 Windle's Jewelry
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