One of the main questions we get asked by our clients is whether our diamonds are ethically sourced and conflict-free. We understand how important it is to know that the diamond you're buying is completely legitimate, so to help you further understand this topic we've put together some key information that we hope you'll find useful on this subject.
What Are Conflict Diamonds?
Conflict diamonds, also frequently referred to as "blood diamonds", are diamonds that are mined in conflict zones and sold to fund war-related armed conflict. According to the World Diamond Council, areas which are particularly affected by the blood diamond trade are central and western Africa. The diamond mines in west African countries have notoriously poor working conditions with substandard safety regulations, lack the proper tools need to mine effectively and provide no training for their workers. To make matters worse, diamonds mines in these regions often employ young children who are forced to work in the mines in an effort to help financially support their families. To make matters worse, miners in these regions are massively underpaid for their labour and can go months without finding a rough diamond. With all this in mind, it's no surprise that consumers are becomming more and more cautious about the diamonds they buy.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
During the early 2000s, there was a growing concern for the harmful social effects that the trade of conflict diamonds was having in diamond-producing states. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was set up in 2003 in order to prevent conflict diamonds from being sold for commercial use on the international diamond market. The UN states that the Kimberely Process was officially established:
"to ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments."
The KPCS was agreed to by the United Nations, the European Union and unites 28 countries, the World Diamond Council, and several interest groups.
Our Promise to You
As a diamond retailer, we understand that is our responsibility to know the history of our diamonds from market to counter so that our clients are safe in the knowledge that whatever diamond they purchase from is completely legitimate. All of our diamonds are carefully inspected by our in-house team of HRD certified diamond graders during the diamond buying process. Our team ensures all o
