What are Conflict Diamonds?


Conflict diamonds also known as "blood diamonds" entered the people's awareness in the late 1990's. Conflict diamonds are diamonds used illigally by rebel armies in regions of western and central Africa, to fund their wars against international governments. These rebels used torture and other inhumain practices to axtract diamonds.

With zero - tolerance towards the trade of conflict diamonds, the diamond industry and the U.N. as well as governments and other organizations saught to end this crisis. It was in 2000 that the World Diamond Council was formed to erradicate the trade of conflict diamonds, the Kimberly Process was passed which is law in 69 countries and backed by the United Nations. The Kimberly Process bans the sale of conflict diamonds.


Suppliers of diamonds must provide a written statement to retailers, assuring that their diamonds are conflict free, and retailers are required to source their diamonds only from suppliers who can provide this assurance.


Due to the implimentation of the Kimberly Process, consumers can be assured that 99% of all diamonds are from sources free from conflict.