Antwerp Fancy Color Diamonds Adheres to the Kimberley Process for Ethically Sourced Diamonds
Conflict diamonds are diamonds illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa. The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds as “…diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.” Diamonds sourced to fund these actions are known as “blood diamonds.”
Background
These Conflict diamonds or blood diamonds attracted the world’s attention during the late 1990s in the unimaginable conflict of Sierra Leone. During this time, approximately 4% of the world’s diamond production were conflict diamonds. In addition, wars in Angola, Liberia, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo have during this period were funded by the trade of rough diamonds.
Today, the Kimberley process has reduced the flow of conflict diamonds to less than 1%.
Elimination of Diamonds Funding War Zones
In July of 2000, the global diamond industry made its zero-tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds clear to the international community. Determined to erase conflict diamond trade, it worked closely with the United Nations, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada to create the Kimberley Process Certification System. The system came into full force in 2003 and guards against conflict diamonds entering the legitimate diamond supply chain. Systems of warranties are now in place to assure consumers that their diamonds are from sources free of conflict.
Today, 74 governments have enshrined the Kimberley Process Certification System into their national law, and now more than 99% of the world’s diamonds are from conflict-free sources. However, even one conflict diamond is one too many. The diamond industry continues to work with governments, NGOs and the UN to strengthen the Kimberley Process and the System of Warranties.
While diamonds fund conflict, the problem is not the diamonds themselves but the rebels who exploit diamonds (and other natural resources) to achieve their illicit goals. The vast majority of diamonds come from countries at peace. These countries have invested the revenue from diamonds into developing infrastructure, schools and hospitals for the good of the communities where diamonds are found. These countries include Australia, Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia, South Africa and Tanzania.
Today, more than 99% of the world’s diamonds are from conflict-free sources and are officially traded under the UN-mandated Kimberley Process.
Antwerp Fancy Color Diamonds Conflict-free Guarantee
Ethical sourcing is vital to us and across the entire legitimate diamond trade, and we are a full supporter of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). The KPCS is a global organization of governments, industry, and human rights groups created in 2002 to prevent the sale of conflict diamonds, which today regulates 99% of the worldwide rough diamond supply.
Antwerp Fancy Color Diamonds requires all suppliers to provide us with a written warranty as per the KPCS, stating that their diamonds come from Kimberley-certified sources and are not involved in funding conflict. The warranty statement, which is officially recognized at the creation of the Kimberley Process, reads:
“The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with the United Nations Resolutions. The seller hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict-free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the suppliers of these diamonds.”
Suppliers are selected carefully in accordance with the stringent trading practices of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). These rules include sourcing diamonds from trusted and reputable industry members, those who subscribe to industry-wide standards of disclosure regarding products and who subscribe to a System of Warranties that all diamonds are conflict-free, amongst a host of other undertakings.
