| Ask a newly engaged friend so show you her | | | | Kimberley Process certificate. If the jeweler cannot |
| engagement ring and not only will you see a sparkle | | | | provide this certificate you should be skeptical about |
| in the diamond, you'll also likely see a sparkle in her | | | | the true origin of the stone. A reputable jeweler |
| eye, along with the feeling of pride and excitement | | | | should be able to provide you with details about the |
| she has for this significant piece of jewelry. After all | | | | diamond and it's history, including whether it is |
| an engagement ring is both a beautiful and symbolic | | | | conflict-free. |
| piece of jewelry that is meant to have strong | | | | Be An Informed Shopper |
| positive feelings associated with it. But what if you | | | | One option is to shop with reputable companies that |
| thought someone may have been killed or severely | | | | only sell jewelry that comes from suppliers who |
| injured because of the diamond in your ring? | | | | practice environmental mining and who only sell |
| As people learned about "blood diamonds" the need | | | | diamonds from conflict-free sources. Some of these |
| for conflict-free diamonds was clear. Blood diamonds | | | | companies even give a portion of their proceeds to |
| or conflict diamonds are diamonds that are traded | | | | areas that have suffered from the selling of blood |
| illegally to help pay for conflict in war-torn areas, | | | | diamonds. |
| especially western and central Africa. | | | | Another option is to buy diamonds from other |
| The Kimberly Process Certification | | | | countries like Russia, Australia and Canada. Canada |
| The diamond industry, UN (United Nations), | | | | has been an especially popular choice because they |
| governments and other non-governmental agencies, | | | | have a reputation for environmentally conscious |
| like Amnesty International, saw the need for a global | | | | mining and conflict-free diamonds. But regardless of |
| system that could prevent these conflict diamonds | | | | where the diamond was mined, ask for proof it is |
| from becoming part of the legitimate diamond supply. | | | | conflict-free. |
| An agreement called the Kimberley Process was | | | | Synthetic or man-made diamonds are also safe. So if |
| developed. This agreement requires all governments | | | | don't care whether or not the diamond was made by |
| that participate to verify every shipment of rough | | | | mother nature, synthetic may be a good choice. |
| diamonds that is exported and imported to be in a | | | | While the vast majority of diamonds that make it |
| secure container. This secure container comes with a | | | | into the market are from conflict-free sources you |
| government-validated certificate verifying the | | | | should still ask for proof to make sure your diamond |
| diamonds in it are conflict-free diamonds. | | | | is one of them. |
| Before you buy an engagement ring ask for a | | | | |