Kimberley Process Conflict-free Diamonds
As a member of the British Jewellers’ Association, Element supports the initiative of the United Nations and the World Diamond Council - The Kimberley Process
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme ensures that mining of diamonds is strictly supervised at government level and that legitimately mined diamonds, in their “rough” state (before cutting and polishing) are only transferred between participating countries under strictly monitored conditions, in tamper proof containers, and accompanied by the appropriate documentation.
To ensure that only these legitimate diamonds, when cut and polished, pass into the jewellery manufacturing process, and therefore into all Element Jewellery, we participate in the system of warranties and code of conduct issued by the World Diamond Council on 29 October 2002 and endorsed by the British Jewellers’ Association.
Under the WDC Code of Conduct Element will:
not buy diamonds from firms who will not put a conflict diamonds warranty on their invoices.
not buy diamonds from suspect or unknown sources or from countries not participating in the Kimberley Process.
not buy diamonds from a source found to have violated government regulations on conflict diamonds.
not buy diamonds from regions where government advice indicates that conflict diamonds are emanating or on sale unless they have been exported under the Kimberley Process.
not knowingly buy or sell or assist others to buy or sell conflict diamonds.
ensure that all company employees who buy and sell diamonds are well informed about the Kimberley process and industry self regulation.
All of our suppliers have been advised that each invoice they send us covering diamonds (or jewellery which contains diamonds), must carry the following warranty and that if they fail to supply this warranty, we will not place further orders with them.
“The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations resolutions. The seller hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds.”
FAQs about non-conflict diamonds
I’ve been reading about conflict diamonds (Blood diamonds) in the press – what’s it all about?Diamonds are mined in parts of Africa, Canada, Russia and Australia. A few years ago the jewellery industry learned that in some parts of Africa, small scale diamond mining was being exploited by illegal militias to support civil war and conflict. These diamonds have been called “Conflict Diamonds” or sometimes “Blood Diamonds”.
Can you tell me about the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process was designed by the United Nations and the World Diamond Council to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate jewellery supply chains. Around 70 countries now participate in the Kimberley Process to make sure that where they have diamond mining it is strictly supervised and that diamonds, in their “rough” state (before cutting and polishing) can only be transferred between participating countries in tamper proof containers, under strict controls and with the appropriate documentation. All shipments are reconciled internationally.
I’ve heard there’s a film out about the diamond trade.
Yes, it’s called the Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio as a diamond smuggler in Sierra Leone. It was first screened in January 2007. It is set in the nineties before the trade got to grips with the problem, so it doesn’t reflect what is happening now.
I’m looking to buy an engagement/eternity ring – I don’t want my fiancée/wife to be worried that it might contain conflict diamonds?
It’s highly unlikely - the Kimberley Process came into force in January 2003 and by now it covers over 99% of the world diamond trade.
How can I be sure that these are not conflict diamonds?
Most of the conflicts in Africa are over now but the controls will stay in place to make sure rebels can’t get funds to fuel future conflicts.
What are Element doing to make sure you don’t sell conflict diamonds?
To prevent conflict diamonds getting into our supply chain we have written procedures to make sure we only buy from suppliers who give us a warranty on their invoices that they don’t buy conflict diamonds.
Can I see a copy of your procedures?
Yes – we publish our procedures about non-conflict diamonds online
Can I see your purchase invoices?
No – they are confidential to the company.
Where do these diamonds come from?
Diamonds come from Africa, Russia, Canada and Australia but before they are cut and polished they are usually sorted and graded by size, colour, quality and clarity and this means mixing up diamonds from different countries of origin to get economies in cutting and polishing.
Should I avoid diamonds from Africa if that’s where the problems are?
No, because the problems are now under control. Any areas where conflict diamonds become a problem will be excluded from the Kimberley Process, so will not get into our supplies.
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For many parts of Africa diamonds are an important mineral resource. Mining diamonds provides jobs and money for housing, schools, healthcare and social programmes. Some countries are investing in cutting and polishing factories as well. So buying diamonds makes a positive contribution to the lives of people in these areas.