(Editors Comment: Having noted this item on twitter we asked Diamond Heaven if we could print it in the Hockley Flyer. The fact that people ‘care’ is always good news – there was a very positive response from our readers regarding our recent feature on ‘Ivory’).
How We Source Our Ethical Diamonds
(Diamond Heaven – 13 March 2015)
‘At Diamond Heaven you can always shop safe in the knowledge that you’re buying diamonds that have come from an ethical source. We adopt a strict policy against conflict diamonds, so we only purchase them from companies who are members of the ‘Kimberley Process’, or the ‘Stop Blood Diamonds’ initiative.
What are Conflict Diamonds?
Also known as blood diamonds, conflict diamonds is a term used to describe diamonds which have been mined in a war zone, and are then illegally sold on by rebels to finance the conflict. These rebels abuse the human rights of the miners, and often enslave the local population to gather diamonds against their will.
What is the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process is an initiative between governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society organisations created to stem the flow of conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process was initially set up in 2000 when South African diamond-producing states met in Kimberley, South Africa, to find ways to stop this illegal trade.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme imposes strict requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’, in order to prevent unauthorised diamonds from entering legitimate trade. Participants can only legally trade with other participants who have also met the minimum requirements of the scheme, and international shipments of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a KP certificate guaranteeing that they are legitimately sourced.
What is the Stop Blood Diamonds Initiative?
Diamond Heaven is a member of the Stop Blood Diamonds initiative, which actively promotes the use conflict free diamonds amongst both consumers and members of the diamond industry. They help jewellers to improve their purchasing policies and educate them on how to become more discerning diamond buyers. You can see our registered listing here.
How can I avoid Conflict Diamonds?
Unfortunately conflict diamonds are on sale in the UK, so in order to avoid buying one inadvertently, you should only purchase diamond jewellery from suppliers who operate a strict policy regarding ethical purchase, such as Diamond Heaven’.
See more at: http://www.diamond-heaven.co.uk/dh/blog/article/how-we-source-our-ethical-diamonds/23#sthash.FYh80E9b.dpuf
