The world responds
In addition, all nations with significant involvement in the diamond trade agreed on a global certification system called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to control the export and import of rough diamonds mined, beginning in 2003. This process is designed to track diamonds from mines to jewelry display cases, certifying the origin of each stone.
All legitimate jewelry retailers in the U.S. and over 40 other countries welcomed this important development, and they actively support the system designed to safeguard their industry’s integrity through self-regulation.
Jewelry industry speaks with one voice
“The industry, unlike most industries, banded together to bring as much transparency to this issue, as possible,” says David Sternblitz, vice president and treasurer of Zale Corporation, North America’s largest specialty retailer of fine jewelry.
“You’re only as strong as each link in the chain,” he adds. “So, it’s important that we consolidate the number of vendors, and make sure that each of them warrants to us in writing that the diamonds we buy do not come from those conflict areas. We have worked hard at this, and our efforts have given our customers confidence in what they buy from us.”
Impact of the industry’s actions has resulted in a meaningful reduction of conflict diamonds on the world’s market, according to a recent World Diamond council report (WorldDiamondCouncil.com). But it’s still up to retailers and consumers to be vigilent in their efforts to keep conflict diamonds off of the market.
“Very few retailers own their own mines, so we must rely on our suppliers to keep conflict diamonds out of the market,” Sternblitz says.
Diamond industry benefits the world
The diamond industry, in general, is the source of a lot of good around the world. For example, an estimated ten million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry. And approximately five million people have access to appropriate health care around the world thanks to revenues from diamonds.
Hopefully sometime in the foreseeable future, conflict diamonds will no longer be a major concern, whether you’re a diamond seller or buyer.
Stopping the conflict diamond trade
Retailers cannot guarantee that the diamond you purchase is not a conflict diamond. Consumers have the power to change that by demanding details about the diamonds they buy. Demanding proof that a diamond is conflict-free sends a powerful message to the world that people will no longer support an industry or nation that helps fund terror groups.
Change won’t happen overnight, but it will happen if everyone involved is persistent.
Until industry self-policing and international law keep all illicit stones off the market, human rights organizations and the diamond industry are telling consumers to ask their jewelers a series of questions:
• Do you know where your diamonds come from?
• Can I see a copy of your company’s policy on conflict diamonds?
• Can you show me a written guarantee from your diamond suppliers stating that your diamonds are conflict-free?
• How can I be sure that none of your jewelry contains conflict diamonds?
If the jeweler is unable to produce the paperwork or otherwise prove the diamonds are conflict-free, you should not buy direct from that store.
Diamond facts
• Approximately $8.4 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries.
• An estimated 65% of the world’s diamonds come from African countries.
• Approximately one millon people are employed by the diamond industry in India.
• The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
• Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13.
• Some diamond-producing countries are not Kimberley Process-compliant.
Source: www.DiamondFacts.org
To discuss this article, click here!