There is an ongoing problem facing brides- and grooms-to-be as well as diamond buyers and investors the world over. These diamonds are often known as “blood diamonds” because they are mined in an active war zone. They are then sold and / or exported, and the money is used for a political rebellion or to [...]

There is an ongoing problem facing brides- and grooms-to-be as well as diamond buyers and investors the world over. These diamonds are often known as “blood diamonds” because they are mined in an active war zone. They are then sold and / or exported, and the money is used for a political rebellion or to fund a warlord’s illegal activity. Those involved include the war-torn African countries of Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. This trade has taken many lives and puts many more in danger. It has to be stopped. However, as long as there is a market for these stones, they will continue to be mined and smuggled, usually from Africa, to brides, grooms and others all over the world.

In 2002, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was implemented by the United Nations. This scheme sets out strict rules and regulations regarding the humane, legal mining and shipping of diamonds. All jewellers, in any country, should be able to provide this certification for any diamonds that they sell. This certification is designed to ensure complete transparency, forcing the governments of countries to keep and make available all records of how many diamonds they are importing and exporting, where they are from and how much they are worth. The governmental authorities can then analyze these figures, and can compare them to what is being spent on social upliftment. This will quickly reveal discrepancies and the unfair distribution of funds.

To ensure that your diamonds are conflict-free and, therefore, not being sold to fund guerrilla warfare or any other illegal political uprisings, there are a few guidelines:

• Check for certification – In addition to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, diamonds should also have a System of Warranties statement (view the sample at www.diamondfacts.org). The documentations should follow the diamond’s processing from the mine to your piece of jewellery.
• Choose outlets that specialise in conflict-free stones. Many of these also donate a percentage of the charged amount to charity organisations that are striving to combat the trade of blood diamonds.
• Conflict-free diamonds are not meant to be more expensive than their smuggled counterparts. Do not let a jeweller get away with doubling his price using the fact that his stones are conflict-free as an excuse.

It may not seem to be of that much import to prevent the use of your money in war efforts that are being carried out in Africa. However, the horrors of these wars and the suffering of innocent people and their families are unacceptable. It is vital that we all see the responsibility we carry towards ensuring a safer, cleaner and more legitimate basis for conducting business.