The Kimberly Process: What it is and how it works
Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM
November 10, 2009
Diamonds can be found in many places around the world. For instance, large diamond deposits are being mined in Venezuela, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Russia. However, Africa has been the leader in diamond mining for over one hundred and fifty years. (www.abazias.com) Because of the political publicity and pressure surrounding the exposure of "blood diamonds" [2000] as an unsavory source for diamond mining and the serious violations of human rights in that regard Canada become the number one ethical resource for "conflict-free" diamonds.
In November of 2002 the town of Kimberly in South Africa embarked on the setting of standards for certification of rough diamonds and export/import requirements to discourage the sale of "combat diamonds". (www.globalpolicy.org) This became known as The Kimberly Process and was first implemented in 2003. Criticism at that time came about due to the "self-regulatory" aspect of this process because the World Diamond Council failed to create an effective industry wide monitoring system.
Today [actually as of November 2007 in Brussels known as the Brussels Declaration] seventy four governments have adopted The Kimberly Process and the diamonds are supposed to be scrutinized at every interval from mining through retail via a system of warranties. (www.diamondfacts.org) The intent of the Brussels Declaration was to strengthen The Kimberly Process such that the control and monitoring of diamonds from the Ivory Coast were further examined and the mining of "blood diamonds" decreased or stopped.
Diamonds mined in each country are sent to their respective Government Diamond offices where the sources are analyzed to ensure they are "conflict-free". (www.diamondfacts.org) The rough diamonds are then issued a warranty. Legally, only diamonds shipped from the seventy four signing countries are allowed to be resold on the retail circuit around the world. Those without proper certification are to be impounded by Customs and sent back. Each time the diamond changes hands or is resold the warranty is to follow along as proof that these diamonds were collected in a "conflict-free" environment. Records and invoices are to be kept for five years in case circumstances should dictate there is occasion or necessity to locate a specific diamond to determine its proper origin.
Please do your part to support The Kimberly Process by asking your local jeweler if their diamonds are "conflict free" before purchasing. Be sure to retain your warranty as proof that your diamonds did not get into your hands because of someone else´s blood or death. And boycott or turn in any retailer or wholesaler who sells "conflict" diamonds. If you don´t the blood will be on your hands!
References:
www.diamondfacts.org
www.globalpolicy.org
www.abazias.com
In November of 2002 the town of Kimberly in South Africa embarked on the setting of standards for certification of rough diamonds and export/import requirements to discourage the sale of "combat diamonds". (www.globalpolicy.org) This became known as The Kimberly Process and was first implemented in 2003. Criticism at that time came about due to the "self-regulatory" aspect of this process because the World Diamond Council failed to create an effective industry wide monitoring system.
Today [actually as of November 2007 in Brussels known as the Brussels Declaration] seventy four governments have adopted The Kimberly Process and the diamonds are supposed to be scrutinized at every interval from mining through retail via a system of warranties. (www.diamondfacts.org) The intent of the Brussels Declaration was to strengthen The Kimberly Process such that the control and monitoring of diamonds from the Ivory Coast were further examined and the mining of "blood diamonds" decreased or stopped.
Diamonds mined in each country are sent to their respective Government Diamond offices where the sources are analyzed to ensure they are "conflict-free". (www.diamondfacts.org) The rough diamonds are then issued a warranty. Legally, only diamonds shipped from the seventy four signing countries are allowed to be resold on the retail circuit around the world. Those without proper certification are to be impounded by Customs and sent back. Each time the diamond changes hands or is resold the warranty is to follow along as proof that these diamonds were collected in a "conflict-free" environment. Records and invoices are to be kept for five years in case circumstances should dictate there is occasion or necessity to locate a specific diamond to determine its proper origin.
Please do your part to support The Kimberly Process by asking your local jeweler if their diamonds are "conflict free" before purchasing. Be sure to retain your warranty as proof that your diamonds did not get into your hands because of someone else´s blood or death. And boycott or turn in any retailer or wholesaler who sells "conflict" diamonds. If you don´t the blood will be on your hands!
References:
www.diamondfacts.org
www.globalpolicy.org
www.abazias.com
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