Non Conflict Diamonds
WHAT EXACTLY ARE 'CONFLICT DIAMONDS'?
In the late 1990s, Global Witness brought the subject of conflict diamonds straight into the public domain. In certain diamond mining African countries such as Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, diamonds were being mined by the native population under torturous conditions, driven by militia and terrorists who were using the funds generated by this diamond mining to fund wars against legitimate Goverments. Pain and suffering were rife for those locals in the mines, with abuse of women and children also commonplace.
In 2007, the Hollywood blockbuster movie 'Blood Diamond' starring Leonardo DiCaprio again highlighted this important issue.
WHAT HAS, AND IS, BEING DONE TO STOP THIS TRADE?
In 1998, UN economic and political sanctions were announced on Angolan rebels mining diamonds in central Angola. In May
2000, the South African government convened a meeting of interested parties in Kimberley to look for a solution. The rounds of meetings and consultations which followed became known as the 'Kimberley Process'. Over the next two years, agreement was reached on an International Certification Scheme to control the exportation and importation of rough diamonds. This scheme, coupled with industry self regulation, is designed to give assurance to consumers and to protect the reputation and integrity of the diamond industry.
SO HOW DOES THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS WORK?
Forty governments are participating in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme which provides that each shipment of rough diamonds being exported and crossing an international border must be sealed in a tamper proof container accompanied by a government validated Kimberley Process certificate. The shipment can be sent only to a country who is a Kimberley Process participant and rough diamonds which are re-exported must also have a Kimberley Process certificate and can only be sent to a participating country.
THE DEJORIA PHILOSOPHY & POLICY
We strive to assure that we only sell non-conflict diamonds. Indeed, John Paul DeJoria's highly ethical stance towards business insists that we operate this way, and this way only. After all, diamonds embody love, and love must never be tarnished.
We wholeheartedly support the initiative of the United Nations and the World Diamond Council (the Kimberley Process).
Our suppliers provide us with the following assurance;
In the late 1990s, Global Witness brought the subject of conflict diamonds straight into the public domain. In certain diamond mining African countries such as Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, diamonds were being mined by the native population under torturous conditions, driven by militia and terrorists who were using the funds generated by this diamond mining to fund wars against legitimate Goverments. Pain and suffering were rife for those locals in the mines, with abuse of women and children also commonplace.
In 2007, the Hollywood blockbuster movie 'Blood Diamond' starring Leonardo DiCaprio again highlighted this important issue.
WHAT HAS, AND IS, BEING DONE TO STOP THIS TRADE?
In 1998, UN economic and political sanctions were announced on Angolan rebels mining diamonds in central Angola. In May
2000, the South African government convened a meeting of interested parties in Kimberley to look for a solution. The rounds of meetings and consultations which followed became known as the 'Kimberley Process'. Over the next two years, agreement was reached on an International Certification Scheme to control the exportation and importation of rough diamonds. This scheme, coupled with industry self regulation, is designed to give assurance to consumers and to protect the reputation and integrity of the diamond industry.SO HOW DOES THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS WORK?
Forty governments are participating in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme which provides that each shipment of rough diamonds being exported and crossing an international border must be sealed in a tamper proof container accompanied by a government validated Kimberley Process certificate. The shipment can be sent only to a country who is a Kimberley Process participant and rough diamonds which are re-exported must also have a Kimberley Process certificate and can only be sent to a participating country.
THE DEJORIA PHILOSOPHY & POLICY
We strive to assure that we only sell non-conflict diamonds. Indeed, John Paul DeJoria's highly ethical stance towards business insists that we operate this way, and this way only. After all, diamonds embody love, and love must never be tarnished.
We wholeheartedly support the initiative of the United Nations and the World Diamond Council (the Kimberley Process).
Our suppliers provide us with the following assurance;
"The Seller will not knowingly sell conflict diamonds and to the best of our ability we will undertake reasonable measures to help prevent the sale of conflict diamonds in this country."
Our suppliers also adhere to the "Clean Diamond Trade Act" which became US Public Law No: 108-19 on April 25, 2003, passed by President Bush. This requires all US diamond retailers to buy diamonds from manufacturers who have documentation warranting that their merchandise was obtained through legitimate channels.
For more information on non conflict diamonds and the Kimberley Process, please click here.
Our suppliers also adhere to the "Clean Diamond Trade Act" which became US Public Law No: 108-19 on April 25, 2003, passed by President Bush. This requires all US diamond retailers to buy diamonds from manufacturers who have documentation warranting that their merchandise was obtained through legitimate channels.
For more information on non conflict diamonds and the Kimberley Process, please click here.
