Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: What is a conflict diamond? |
A: Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds 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.
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Q: What is the percentage of conflict diamonds in the world’s diamond supply? |
A: Although there is no exact figure, the diamond industry claims that it was previously 4% and is now as low as 1% after the Kimberly Process was put in place. Consumer advocates, however believe that conflict diamonds make up as much 10-15% of the world diamond supply.
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Q: What is being done to stop the conflict diamond trade? |
A: Since conflict diamonds are an international commodity an internal solution had to be found to address the crisis. Countries dealing in the diamond industry, both producers and traders joined together in an effort to address the crisis and came up with the Kimberly Process.
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Q: What is the Kimberly Process? |
A: The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme is an international certification scheme that regulates the trade in rough diamonds. Its aim is to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds, while helping to protect the legitimate trade in rough diamonds. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme outlines the provisions by which the trade in rough diamonds is to occur. The KPCS has developed a set of minimum requirements that each Participant must implement.
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Q: Who are the participants in the Kimberly Process? |
A: As of April 2004 there were 34 participating countries in the KPCS. All the participating countries are major rough diamond producers, exporters, or importers. The diamond industry, via the World Diamond Council and some civil society groups, has been a part of KPCS from the very start and continue to contribute in the monitoring and implementation of the scheme. However, these groups are not considered to be real participants but are called observers.
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Q: What is the United Nations doing about this issue? |
A: The United Nations has been taking action since year 2000 calling making resolutions, meting out sanctions, and forming panels in efforts to find a solution to the crisis. The latest being A Security Council resolution issued last December 15, 2005 in which an embargo on diamond exports in addition to a previously declared arms from Ivory Coast was declared.
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Q: What can we do to help stop the conflict diamond trade? |
A: The first thing you can do is to make sure that you do not buy conflict diamonds. You can also help by creating more awareness about the issue even by just word of mouth. You can also put pressure on the diamond industry by asking local jewelers what they are doing to stop conflict diamond trading. Emphasize your point by asking where the diamonds they sell come from. For the moment it is still impossible to tell without a certificate. You can also sign the diamond pledge and partner with Global Witness.
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Q: How do I know I am not buying a conflict diamond? |
A: Simple, ask retailers for their guarantee. Read the Buyers' Guide prepared by Amnesty International and Global Witness for more details. Another option would be to buy cultured diamonds made by companies like Gemesis and Apollo
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