What Are Non-Conflict Diamonds?

If you are a conscious shopper, you will ask morewhen you ask about the origin of the diamond. A
questions when shopping for diamonds that justlocal retail jewelry store may not have this
about the details of the stone. You should inquirecertificate, but can direct you to the supplier to
if the stones you are admiring with the possibilitywhom you can direct your questions. However,
of purchasing are non-conflict diamonds. Theany legitimate jewelry store should be able to
answer you receive should satisfy your mind thatanswer "Yes" as soon as you ask whether the
these diamonds have not come from a countrystone in question is a non conflict diamond.
where the sale of diamonds is used to causeIf when you ask a jeweler about the origin of the
bloodshed and terror for others.diamonds for sale and receive a black stare when
Non-conflict diamonds do not look any differentyou mention the Kimberley Certificate or the
from other diamonds so there is no way you canchain of warranties of the World Diamond Council,
identify them by looks alone. The appraisal report,then you would be well-advised to walk away
whether it is of EGL loose diamonds or fromfrom the sale no matter how good of a deal you
another gemological appraisal facility will not bethink it may be.
able to give you the answer either. ConflictUpon purchasing a diamond, you should receive
diamonds, also called blood diamonds, should be acertification that the diamonds were purchased
cause for concern because they come fromfrom one of the countries approved by the UN.
countries in Africa where they are used toYou should also receive an appraisal report on the
provide financing for wars and military actiondiamond which provides you with the details of
against innocent people. In some cases, child laborthe four C's. New laws that have come into force
is used in the mining process.in the past decade require jewelers to provide
When you make sure that the diamond jewelrydocumentation about diamonds that they sell to
you buy contains non-conflict diamonds, you cantheir customers.
do your part by putting an end to this type ofIt is important to do your homework when
activity. Even though you may pay a high pricebuying a diamond in addition to determining that it
for the diamonds, in this respect the purchase willis a non-conflict diamond. Without an understanding
be one of best value diamonds. Jewelers who areof how best value diamonds are appraised, such
confident that they are not selling conflictas with EGL loose diamonds, you may not be able
diamonds will be happy to answer any of yourto understand the appraisal report that you
questions.receive. Carat refers to the weight of the
The UN along with countries in the developeddiamond, but the report will also provide details of
world used the Kimberley Certification Process tothe length, width and depth, no matter how tiny
identify non-conflict diamonds. This means thatthe stone may be.
rough diamonds exported from countries in AfricaClarity refers to the quality of the sparkle and
that are using the sale of the diamonds to furthershine you will see from the diamond each time it
the economic activities of the country will providecatches the light. The cut can be one of five
a government certificate attesting to this fact.different types and basically refers to the shape
Diamonds cannot be legally shipped acrossof the diamond. The color may not be pure white,
borders without being accompanied by thisbut could be a pale shade of yellow. All of these
certification.factors help determine the value of the diamonds
Jewelers who deal in buying rough diamonds willthat you buy.
have the Kimberley certificate ready to show you