About Conflict Free Diamonds & Kimberly Diamond Process
Guaranteed Conflict Free Diamonds
Diamond Imports, along with the international diamond industry, has a zero-tolerance policy toward conflict diamonds. Through measures such as the Kimberley Process, which tracks diamonds from mine to market, the diamond industry in partnership with the United Nations, International Governments, and non-governmental organizations, oversee and monitor diamond exports to prevent the trade of illegal diamonds.
Diamond Imports, only purchase diamonds directly from De Beers Siteholders, who all strictly adhere to the standards established by the Kimberley Process. This enables Diamond Imports a direct and continuous supply of Guaranteed Conflict Free Diamonds. Diamond Imports are able to guarantee that all our diamonds are conflict free and have been purchased through legitimate sources. Diamond Imports choose to comply with the United Nations backed Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and refuse to deal in Conflict Diamonds.
Diamond Imports insist that all our suppliers are able to provide us with written guarantees, ensuring that all diamonds are Conflict Free, that the diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources which have not been involved in funding conflict and that they are committed to upholding the Kimberley Process and The United Nations resolutions.
If one of our suppliers was ever found to be in violation of that process, we would immediately sever that relationship. Diamond Imports will continue to support and promote any process that works to uphold legitimacy in the diamond trade.
Today, more than 99% of the world's diamonds are now from conflict free sources and are officially traded under the UN mandated Kimberley Process.
 
What Are Conflict Diamonds?
Conflict diamonds are diamonds illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa. The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds as "...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." Conflict diamonds are also referred to as "blood diamonds."
BACKGROUND
Conflict diamonds captured the world's attention during the extremely brutal conflict in Sierra Leone in the late 1990s. During this time, it is estimated that conflict diamonds represented approximately 4% of the world's diamond production. Illicit rough diamonds have also been used by rebels to fund conflicts in Angola, Liberia, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.
Today, the flow of conflict diamonds has been reduced to considerably less than 1%.
There are three diamond producing countries that account for this small percentage. Firstly, the Republic of Congo has been suspended from participation in the Kimberley Process owing to areas of non-compliance. Secondly, Liberia and the Ivory Coast are under United Nations Security Council Resolutions to prohibit the extraction and trading of diamonds. Despite both the Republic of Congo and Liberia benefiting from internationally recognized peace agreements, diamonds from these countries may be referred to as "conflict diamonds".
Eliminating Conflict Diamonds
In July 2000, the global diamond industry made clear to the international community its zero tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds. Dedicated to eradicating the trade in conflict diamonds, it worked closely with the United Nations, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada to create the Kimberley Process Certification System. This system was formally adopted in 2003 and guards against conflict diamonds entering the legitimate diamond supply chain. The diamond industry also adopted a voluntary System of Warranties to assure consumers that their diamonds are from sources free of conflict.
Today 71 governments have enshrined into their national law the Kimberley Process Certification System, and now more than 99% of the world's diamonds are from conflict free sources. However, even one conflict diamond is one too many. The diamond industry continues to work with governments, NGOs and the UN to strengthen the Kimberley Process and the System of Warranties.
While diamonds have been used to fund conflict, the problem is not the diamonds themselves but the rebels who exploit diamonds (along with other natural resources) to achieve their illicit goals. The vast majority of diamonds come from countries at peace. These countries have been able to invest the revenue from diamonds into the development of infrastructure, schools and hospitals for the good of the communities in which diamonds are found. These countries include Australia, Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia, South Africa and Tanzania.
Conflict Free Diamonds
To prevent diamonds from areas of conflict entering into the legitimate diamond supply chain, diamonds are monitored at every point of the diamond pipeline, from mining through to retail. These monitoring processes are called the Kimberley Process and System of Warranties. The Kimberley Process is a UN mandated system, and today over 99% of all diamonds are certified through the Kimberley Process to be from conflict free sources.
For more information on the Kimberley Process: www.kimberleyprocess.com
Most people are unaware of the role diamonds play in bringing real benefits to people in the countries around the world where diamonds are sourced. Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa. It is also in Africa that this same resource has been used to fund conflict. In 2000, a coalition of governments, non-governmental organizations and the diamond industry worked together to address this issue. In 2002, they established the Kimberley Process Certification System, a UN-backed process that has virtually eliminated the trade in conflict diamonds.
Today, over 99% of the world's supply of diamonds is from sources free of conflict.
Read more Diamond Facts: www.diamondfacts.org
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