In the late 1990’s, conflict diamonds made up approximately 4% of the world’s diamonds production. As defined by the UN, conflict diamonds are those that “originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.” The violent conflicts, fuelled by the struggle for control over African diamond mines, have led to countless human rights violations and the loss of millions of innocent lives. In this respect, conflict free diamonds are those which have been certified as being sourced from legitimately run areas free of conflict and violence.
The history of conflict diamonds is shockingly widespread. Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Liberia have all been subject to violent conflict and civil war over the control of diamond mine profits. From 1998 to 2003, the Democratic Republic of Congo was in turmoil from civil war. Over 3.3 million people were killed by rebel groups, funded by diamond profits and supported by neighbouring countries, as they competed for control over diamond areas in the northeast. Although currently free of violence, there is still insecurity over the safety and stability of the country.
As news about conflicts over diamonds became more widespread, the South African government decided to take action. In 2000, representatives from the diamond industry, major diamond trading nations, governmental organizations and NGO’s were invited to meet in Kimberley, South Africa to discuss the possibility of a solution to the trade of conflict diamonds. The result of this call to action was the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Put in place in 2003 and full endorsed by the UN General Assembly and Security Council, the Kimberley Process aims “to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, while helping to protect legitimate trade in rough diamonds”.
Today it is estimated that over 99% of all diamonds traded are conflict free and certified by the Kimberley Process. The decline in trade of conflict diamonds can be attributed to the stringent requirements put in place by the Kimberley Process to ensure that all its participants uphold its standards. The participants must meet ‘minimum requirements’, as well as agree to establish national legislation, share statistical data, and export, import and internal movement controls.
In order to make sure that your diamonds are sourced from conflict free areas, you’ll need to check that your jeweller buys only Kimberley Process certified stones. For more information and help with purchasing conflict free diamonds, please visit the Conflict Free Diamond Council. By following certain guidelines you can ensure that your diamond is conflict free, for example: ‘The diamond must be mined, cut, and polished in the same region or territory without crossing any national borders, must be laser engraved with a serial number, then scanned and recorded in a confidential, centralized database.’ By making an informed and ethical purchase you can help to stop the violence and human rights abuses associated with conflict diamonds.