| A Diamond is supposed to evoke a sense of purity, | | | | Any reputable jeweler should have a company policy |
| eternal beauty or love not injustice, unspeakable | | | | which deals with the issue of conflict diamonds, |
| brutality and malignant human rights abuse. If you find | | | | always ask your jeweler for a copy of this. |
| yourself wondering how to avoid buying conflict | | | | Step #4: Consumer Awareness |
| diamonds, I have some bad news and some good | | | | Always remember to ask questions about blood |
| news. | | | | diamonds, let your jeweler know that you are |
| The bad news: | | | | concern about it. Although seemingly a simple act, it |
| It is difficult to stop conflict diamonds from entering | | | | will go a long way in strengthening processes that |
| the markets both due to their attractive low prices | | | | safeguards against exploitations. |
| and the geopolitical nature from where they originate. | | | | Step #5: Local Laws |
| The good news: | | | | For consumers in US there is the Clean Diamond Act |
| There is growing consumer awareness of these | | | | which was passed to comply with the Kimberly |
| blood diamonds. Legislations by both countries and | | | | Process. Therefore ask your jeweler if their diamonds |
| international bodies along with initiatives by the | | | | that are guaranteed under this Act. For consumers in |
| diamond industry itself are enabling buyers to take | | | | Canada there is Voluntary Code of Conduct, this |
| steps and avoid buying these conflict diamonds. | | | | system is one of the most comprehensive when it |
| Here is a step by step guide on how to avoid blood | | | | comes to authenticating diamonds but it is voluntary. |
| diamonds: | | | | Therefore ask if your jeweler is a participant to |
| Step #1: Kimberly Process | | | | ensure you do not end up buying blood diamonds. |
| Look for reputable jeweler to buy conflict free | | | | Although the Kimberly Process, System of |
| diamonds. A reputable jeweler should have suppliers | | | | Warranties and individual legislation by a number of |
| who comply with the Kimberly process. The Kimberly | | | | countries including The Clean Diamond Act passed in |
| Process is adopted by the World Diamond Council | | | | the US has managed to significantly reduce this |
| and is backed by the United Nations. It is designed to | | | | particular trade though they are far from perfect and |
| eradicate the trade in conflict diamonds. Therefore | | | | there is still a long way to go in eliminating trade in |
| suppliers who comply with it can provide guarantees | | | | blood diamonds. |
| that their sources of diamonds are conflict free. | | | | Only with more stringent procedures such as the |
| Step #2: System of Warranties | | | | Canadian Voluntary Code combined with consumer |
| All legitimate diamond suppliers will provide written | | | | awareness in following the listed steps above to |
| statements to their retailers which declare that their | | | | avoid buying conflict diamonds will give a lasting |
| diamond sources are conflict free, it is called the | | | | solution. |
| System of warranties and is another safeguard | | | | In the end, avoiding blood diamonds will allow your |
| against trade of conflict diamonds. If you are in any | | | | intentions to signify eternal love or commitment to |
| doubt, ask to see these documents. | | | | be even more meaningful. This is because it helps the |
| Step #3: Company Policy | | | | communities that are the source of these diamonds. |