Blood Diamonds

While many people were unaware of conflict diamonds until the 2006 movie, “Blood Diamond”, the initial rise to the media began in the early 1990ʼs just a decade before.

A conflict, or commonly known as blood, diamonds are illegally traded to fund conflict in areas torn by war. According to the United Nations, they are “diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.”

Most commonly, conflict diamonds have been used to fund conflict in Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. During the 1990ʼs, conflict diamonds represented about 4% of the worldʼs diamond production. Today because of action by the United Nations, it has been reduced to 1%. During the brutal civil wars of each of these counties, the livelihoods of their people were greatly threatened. Some diamonds have contributed in the destroying of lives of millions.

To show the world the global diamond industry its zero tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds, the Kimberley Process of Certification System was created. Formally adopted in 2003, it guards against these diamonds entering the diamond supply chain. The industry also created a voluntary System of Warranties in order to provide assurance for customers.

One of the most significant items decided from the Kimberley Process was the endorsement of the Brussels Declaration. The primary goal through this declaration was the support of internal controls of those involved with rough diamond trading and manufacturing. This gives counsel for record keeping, spot checking, inspections of imports and exports as well as the maintenance of rough diamond inventory records. This was implemented further with specific actions for each of countries involved. The majority of diamonds come from countries at peace that use the revenue to develop schools, hospitals, and infrastructure to the countries they come from. However, with diamonds used to fund conflict, it is the rebels exploit them to achieve unlawful objectives.

To ensure the absence of conflict free diamonds in the industry, there is a five step process. After rough diamonds are mined, they are delivered to Government Diamond Offices. Upon arrival, the Kimberley Process begins and the origin is checked and then sealed and placed into tamper resistant containers. Continuing with the Kimberley Process, diamonds are only imported into one of the 74 approved countries and proceed to the customs office. Any diamond without proper certificate and seals, they are turned back or impounded. After legitimate transportation, the diamond is ready for manufacturing. It can be traded, cut and polished, and set into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Each time a stone trades hands, the proper warranty must accompany it (system of warranties) and the exchange must be documented and kept for 5 years.

Lastly, retailers are responsible for auditing the system of warranties, as well as document and keep a record of the purchase for 5 years. While the warranty is not required on a customerʼs receipt, continuing the execution of these practices will continue to ensure the source of diamonds are conflict free.

At InStyle Diamonds, all of our diamonds are 100% conflict free. To view our selection of conflict free diamonds at the best wholesale prices visit http://www.instylediamonds.com/rt/sform.pl?cfg=adi.