Conflict Diamonds

Conflict Diamonds first began to gain real attention 1990's the world became aware that rebel armies in parts of central and western Africa were illegally using the trade of rough diamonds to fund conflicts against legitimate internationally recognised governments. The rebels used inhumane practices including torture and slavery to extract diamonds from the regions. These diamonds became known as Conflict Diamonds also referred to as "Blood Diamonds" During the time of the brutal conflict in Sierra Leone , it is estimated that 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). Today, the flow of Conflict Diamonds has been reduced to considerably less than 1%.

Two important programmes are responsible for significantly reducing Conflict Diamonds, both introduced by the International diamond industry, working closely with the United Nations, governments and non-governmental organisations.

1. The Kimberley Process. This UN mandated programme was formally adopted in 2003. Under the Kimberley Process, diamond shipments contained within sealed certificated containers can only be exported and imported within co-participant countries in the Kimberley Process. No uncertified shipments of rough diamonds will be permitted to enter or leave a participant's country. This ring-fences conflict diamonds and as such ensures they are unable to enter the legitimate diamond supply chain and thus, cannot be used for illegitimate purposes and therefore this helps reduce Conflict Diamonds in circulation.

Under this system, which has been endorsed by all Kimberley Process participants, all buyers and sellers of both rough and polished diamonds (even diamonds within jewellery) must make the following affirmative statement on all invoices to help stop the flow of conflict diamonds through trade routes.

"The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The undersigned hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the seller of these diamonds."

At Serendipity Diamonds, all of our invoices will contain the System of Warranties assurance statement, and we possess written assurances from all of our suppliers who subscribe to the system and who trade only with legitimate sources. We are deeply concerned with eradicating the trade in Conflict Diamonds and it is our intention to support the initiatives in place to achieve this. We also feel it important to educate by providing information on the subject for consumers, as well as clearly providing assurances on the website and in writing to our customers.

It must be remembered that the diamond industry provides revenue that is critical to the economic development of diamond producing nations. We have much to be proud of supporting the diamond industry. It is an industry that provides a livelihood for millions of people worldwide. Whilst Conflict Diamonds have created a great deal of awareness of an unacceptable situation, we must not forget the importance and role of the diamond industry in providing work and resources across the world.

Fact:
An estimated 10 million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry.

Please only buy from a legitimate source and help us stop the trade in Conflict Diamonds.

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For further information on Conflict Diamonds (Blood Diamonds) please visit the website diamondfacts.org.