Conflict Free Diamonds
Now, more than over, consumers are conscious and we must communicate that the diamond industry has addressed the issue of conflict diamonds. Awareness of conflict diamond is rising again especially with the new movie The Blood Diamond, which is set in Sierra Leon during the civil war in the late 1990s. This movie is set to be released December 8, 2006. The media coverage around the film will surely heighten the interest around the conflict diamond.
For years, the diamond industry has been taking steps to address conflict diamonds, and since the establishment of the Kimberly process and system of warranties in 2003.
The trade of conflict diamonds in the marketplace has been mostly eliminated and more than 99% of the world supply of diamonds are certified from sources that are free from conflict.
Our diamond suppliers fully comply with the United Nations resolution and the U.S. legislations regarding "Clean Diamond Trade Act", and we guarantee that our diamonds are conflict free.
Here is a briefing regarding the conflict diamonds from the WDC and can be found in even greater detail at www.diamondfacts.org
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." These diamonds are sometimes referred to as "blood diamonds."
Background
Conflict diamonds captured the world's attention during the extremely brutal conflict in Sierra Leone in the late 1990x. During this time, it is estimated that conflict diamonds represented approximately 4% of the world's diamond production. Illicit rough diamond have also been used by rebels to fund conflicts in Angola, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and 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 diamonds 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 the countries may be referred to as "conflict diamonds."
Elimination 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 conflict diamond is too many. The diamond industry continues to work with governments, NGOs and the UN to strengthen the Kimberley Process and the System Of Warranties.
With all the above we have to remember the benefits that the diamond industry provide to an immense population here are some interesting facts:
Diamond Facts
| Fact 1 |
An Estimated 5 million people have access to appropriate health care thanks to revenues from diamonds |
| Fact 2 |
Conflict Diamonds have been reduced from approximately 4% to considerably less than 1% since the implementation of the Kimberley Process in 2003 |
| Fact 3 |
An Estimated 10 million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry. |
| Fact 4 |
The diamond mining industry generates over 40% of Nambia's annual export earnings. |
| Fact 5 |
Diamond Revenues enable every child in Bosawana to receive free education up to the age of 13. |
| Fact 6 |
In July 2000, the global diamond industry announced its zero tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds and continues to drive this policy. |
| Fact 7 |
Sierra Leone is now at peace and exports approximately $142 million diamonds per year. |
| Fact 8 |
Over one million people are employed by the diamond industry in India. |
| Fact 9 |
$8.4 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries. |
| Fact 10 |
More than 99% of diamonds are now from conflict free sources and traded under the UN-mandated Kimberly Process. |
| Fact 11 |
The Diamond Development Initiative was established to improve the working conditions of atrisanal miners. |
| Fact 12 |
The revenue from diamonds is instrumental to the fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic. |
| Fact 13 |
Under the Kimberly Process, rough diamonds can only be exported and imported when accompanied by a certificate from the exporting country. |
| Fact 14 |
The charity Jewelers for Children funds a community based care program for orphaned children in South Africa. |
| Fact 15 |
65.5% of the word's diamonds come from African countries. |
| Fact 16 |
Today, 71 governments and the legitimate diamond industry are all committed and legally bound to eradicating conflict diamonds. |
| Fact 17 |
The diamond industry has introduced a system to help give greater assurances to the retailers and to priced consumers with the reassurance that their diamond is from a conflict free source. |
| Fact 18 |
Diamond account for more 33% of the GDP (approximately $3 billion) of Botswana. Since diamonds were discovered in Botswana, GDP annual growth rate has averaged 7%. |
| Fact 19 |
Major world leaders - including Nelson Mandela - have cited the importance of diamonds to the lives of African people. |
| Fact 20 |
Some diamond producing countries are not Kimberley Process complaint. |
We hope that his information will provide you with new information, and if you have more questions concerning this matter, please call us as (405) 495-6610.
