Zero Tolerance Policy towards Conflict Diamonds - An International Effort
To eradicate this trade of blood diamonds, the zero tolerance policy towards these diamonds was introduced in the diamond market in July 2000. This policy worked closely with the United Nations, Governments and Non Governmental Organizations or NGO’s such as Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada leading to creation of Kimberley process Certification system. The diamond industry also adopted a voluntary System of Warranties to assure consumers that their diamonds are from sources free of conflict.

The Kimberly Process
In May 2000, Southern African diamond producing states met in Kimberley, South Africa, to come up with a way to stop the trade in conflict diamonds and to ensure consumers that the diamonds that they purchase have not contributed to violent conflict and human rights abuses in their countries of origin. In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting the creation of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds. In November 2002, after nearly two years of negotiation, the efforts of governments, the international diamond industry and NGOs culminated in the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). The KPCS outlines the provisions by which the trade in rough diamonds is to be regulated by countries, regional economic integration organizations and rough diamond-trading entities.

Today the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme has evolved into an effective mechanism for stopping the trade in conflict diamonds. The tireless efforts of governments, industry leaders and civil society representatives have helped ensure that the horrors caused by conflict diamonds may one day come to an end. But there remains much to be done. All involved with the Kimberley Process continue to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the certification scheme and strive towards a world free of conflict diamonds.

Today, more than 99% of the world's diamonds are free from conflict free sources and are officially traded under the UN mandated Kimberley Process. We are glad to bring you diamonds that are conflict free and have been mined and traded with the strict guidelines of the Kimberly Process.

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Kimberly Process Validation Certificate
The problem does not lie with the diamond itself but lies with the rebel groups who fund illicit activities by selling them. Most of the countries where diamonds are traded, the money is used to fund the development of infrastructure, schools and hospitals for the good of the communities in which diamonds are found. These countries are at peace and include Australia, Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia, South Africa and Tanzania.

Under the Kimberly process, rough diamonds now can only be exported and imported when accompanied by a certificate from the exporting country. By law, no rough diamonds are permitted to enter a Kimberley Process participant country without a certificate. The Kimberley Process stipulates that all rough diamonds are sealed in tamper-resistant containers and must have forgery resistant conflict free certificates with unique serial numbers, each time they cross an international border. Any individual importing or exporting rough diamonds between Kimberley Process participants without a certificate is breaking the law and will be prosecuted by the appropriate government. The number of conflict diamonds has been reduced from approximately 4% to significantly less than 1%. However, the diamond industry will not rest until that number reaches zero.

To this day, 71 governments all over the world have included the Kimberley Process Certification System into their national law to ensure conflict free diamond trade which helped in making 99% of the world’s diamonds to be conflict free. To completely eradicate the presence of conflict diamonds, the diamond industry continues to work with governments, NGOs and the UN to strengthen the Kimberley Process and the System of Warranties.

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Socially Responsible Business Helps Africa
In Africa, where 40% of the population depends on water that is potentially lethal to drink, special attention has been focused on the protection of fresh water supplies. When you choose one of our certified diamond rings collection, you are supporting a longstanding commitment to helping with Africa’s most pressing social and environmental issues.

More than 99% of the world's diamonds are now from conflict free sources and are officially traded under the UN mandated Kimberley Process. We are glad to bring you diamonds that are conflict free and have been mined and traded with the strict guidelines of the Kimberly Process.

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