Conflict-Free Diamonds

Q. What is a Conflict Diamond?

A. Conflict Diamonds or "Blood Diamonds" are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments.

They are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the United Nations Security Council, their trade finances armies in fighting against legitimate governments, perpetrating human rights abuses and prolong devastating wars.

Conflict diamonds captured the world's attention during the extremely brutal conflict in Sierra Leone in the late 1990s. During this time, 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 (also known as Congo Brazzaville).

Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola are African diamond producing countries where rebels have used diamonds to fund conflict in the past. These countries are now at peace - with rebels no longer trading in conflict diamonds - and are participants of the Kimberley Process.

Although the flow of conflict diamonds has been reduced to less than 1%, there are still some African diamond-producing countries: Ivory Coast and Liberia - that are under UN Security Council Resolution to prohibit the extraction and trade in diamonds. The Republic of Congo does not meet the requirements of the Kimberley Process and was expelled in July 2004.

Q. How can a conflict diamond be distinguished from a legitimate diamond?

A. The Kimberley Process warranty system is a well-structured 'Certificate of Origin' regime that is an effective way of ensuring that only legitimate diamonds, those from government-controlled areas reach market. The steps of the Kimberley Process are listed below. The System of Warranties does not require the warranty to appear on the consumer's receipt.

But by implementing measures for greater supervision, compliance and accountability, through the System of Warranties, within the diamond trade, consumers can be assured that the diamonds they buy are from areas that are free from conflict.

Q. How can I be sure that none of your jewelry contains conflict diamonds?

A. We are in full compliance with the Kimberley Process and we require every one of our vendors to provide us with written assurances that every diamond we buy has been sourced legitimately.

We are totally committed to being able to assure our customers that their diamonds are free from conflict.

We also source diamonds from Canada that come with certificates of origin for those customers that want that extra peace of mind. It is important to deal with a jeweler you know and trust. We have been in business since 1969.

Q. What is your company's policy on conflict diamonds?

A. We are proud to be part of a global effort to eradicate illegal diamonds. At Washington Diamond we partner with established suppliers of conflict-free diamonds.

We require our suppliers to subscribe to the Kimberley Process warranty system and if the vendor can not provide us an assurance statement in compliance with the Kimberley Process we will not do business with them.

Plus it is illegal in the U.S. to sell conflict diamonds and we follow the law.

Q. Are All African Diamonds Bad?

A. The UN General Assembly is quick to point out that diamonds mined and sold legally help the economy and promote prosperity in certain parts of Africa. African nations benefit much from the diamond industry.

It is true that 'blood diamonds' did originate from Africa, but ever since the Kimberly Process was implemented blood diamonds from Africa have significantly decreased. Most African nations that are participants of the Kimberly Process are joining the fight against conflict diamonds.

One of the things that the diamond industry has done for Africa is to provide jobs.

Granted the mining jobs are low paying, these jobs still benefit families who otherwise would have no source of income at all.

In a continent where much poverty exists, jobs that do pay are rare and do much to help the common people. The African economy has also benefited much from the revenue that the diamond mines have produced.

As a matter of fact some countries have economies that depend largely on the diamond industry.

Botswana is a prime example of how the diamond industry has benefited African nations.

It is now regarded by economists to be one of Africa's major success stories and even managed to achieve the highest rate of economic growth in the entire world in 1996, averaging 9.2%.

Before it became a diamond exporter its economy depended mostly upon livestock. 36% of Botswana's rapid economic growth is due to its diamond mining industry.