| By now, you have probably heard about "conflict | | | | the diamonds are used to fund weapons and |
| diamonds" and the controversy surrounding them. | | | | other needs for rebels. |
| They are also called blood diamonds, dirty | | | | What's Being Done |
| diamonds, and war diamonds. Although the issue is | | | | The Kimberley Process was created to eliminate |
| just now getting national and international press, it | | | | the trade of conflict diamonds. It requires |
| has been a major issue in the diamond trading | | | | participating governments to ensure that each |
| industry and Africa since the 1990's. It seemed | | | | shipment of rough diamonds be exported |
| necessary to address what makes this an | | | | imported in a secure container, accompanied by a |
| important issue and to sum up the main details | | | | uniquely numbered, government-validated |
| surrounding the phenomenon in this diamond issue. | | | | certificate stating that the diamonds are from |
| What they are: | | | | sources free of conflict. Every country does not |
| The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds | | | | cooperate, but buying only certified diamonds will |
| as "diamonds that originate from areas controlled | | | | help curtail conflict diamond trading. |
| by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and | | | | What You Can Do |
| internationally recognized governments, and are | | | | Basically, the best thing you can do is get a |
| used to fund military action in opposition to those | | | | certified diamond in which origins can be traced. |
| governments, or in contravention of the decisions | | | | Get a diamond with a certificate--not only does it |
| of the Security Council." | | | | free your conscience, but also gives you |
| Conflict diamonds are mined in war zones and are | | | | reassurance of the quality of your purchase. |
| used to finance rebel or invading armies. Sierra | | | | Below are the World Diamond Council's additional |
| Leone is the most affected country right now | | | | suggestions on buying diamonds from jewelers. |
| facing this issue. The Ivory Coast, Angola, and | | | | A reputable jeweler should: |
| Liberia have had some success in curtailing the | | | | - Only use suppliers who can provide a guarantee |
| trade of conflict diamonds. | | | | that their diamonds are from sources free of |
| The Process: | | | | conflict |
| Children and teenagers are forced to manually sift | | | | - Have a conflict diamond policy |
| through mud (called panning, shown in picture), to | | | | - Be able to answer a customer's questions about |
| find uncut diamonds. The laborers are paid a | | | | the topic |
| minimal fee per diamond and many do not find a | | | | For further reassurance from a jeweler, a |
| single diamond for days. Unfair labor practices | | | | customer can ask the following suggested |
| receive the least coverage of the conflict diamond | | | | questions: |
| issue as financing civil war is usually the focus. | | | | - How can I be sure that none of your jewelry |
| Unfair wages and child labor are major | | | | contains conflict diamonds? |
| components of the problem. | | | | - What is your company's policy on conflict |
| After the diamonds are found, they are traded | | | | diamonds? |
| illegally and the money received from the sale of | | | | |