Everything you need to know about conflict free diamond sourcing
In today’s conscientious world, consumers are more aware than ever about the origins of the products they purchase – and, understandably, want their buys to align with their values. Diamonds, often associated with luxury and romance, have a complex history that can include ethical concerns. Understanding the importance of conflict-free diamonds is crucial for both consumers and jewelers, to make positive change. Here’s what you need to know about ethical diamonds and their sourcing, and how to ensure your purchases support responsible practices.
What are conflict free diamonds?
Conflict-free diamonds, also known as ethical diamonds, are stones that have been sourced without funding violence, human rights abuses, or environmental degradation. These diamonds are mined, processed, and sold in ways that comply with rigorous international standards, and promote ethical practices in the diamond industry.
The Kimberley Process
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a crucial initiative established in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream market. The Kimberley Process involves:
Certification: Each shipment of rough diamonds is certified as conflict-free.
Monitoring: Member countries must meet minimum requirements to ensure compliance.
Transparency: Participating countries and companies must provide detailed records of diamond transactions.
While the Kimberley Process has significantly reduced the flow of conflict diamonds all around the world, some argue that the process needs stricter enforcement and greater transparency to address all ethical concerns effectively. It is a great step in the right direction, but other checks ideally need to be done by your jeweller, too. Read more about The Kimberley Process, here.
How we ethically source diamonds
At The Diamond Store, we are committed to ensuring that all our diamonds are conflict-free. We adhere to the Kimberley Process and go beyond its requirements by implementing additional measures to guarantee the ethical sourcing of our diamonds. Here are some steps we take:
Supplier audits: We conduct regular audits of our carefully-chosen suppliers to ensure they comply with ethical sourcing standards.
Traceability: We strive for complete, transparent traceability of our diamonds, from the mine to the final product.
Certification: All our diamonds come with certification that verifies their ethical origin.
Partnerships: We work with organizations dedicated to promoting ethical practices within the diamond industry. For example, we are part of the NAJ (National Association of Jewellers), who have strict code of conducts their members must follow concerning mined diamonds.
How to ensure you are buying conflict free diamonds
As a consumer, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your diamond purchases are conflict-free:
Ask questions: Inquire about the origin of the diamonds and the supplier’s ethical sourcing practices. Reputable jewellers will be transparent about their sourcing methods.
Look for certification: Always request certification that verifies the diamond is conflict-free. The Kimberley Process Certification and other similar credentials are essential when choosing a natural mined diamond.
Choose reputable jewellers: Buy from jewellers known for their commitment to ethical practices, and are vocal about it. Research their policies and reputation before making a purchase.
Consider lab-grown diamonds: Lab-grown diamonds are a fully guaranteed ethical alternative to mined diamonds. They offer the same beauty and quality without any possible associated ethical concerns, as they are grown in a laboratory.
The benefits of ethical diamonds
Choosing conflict-free diamonds has several significant benefits:
Supporting ethical practices: By purchasing conflict-free diamonds, you are supporting ethical mining and trading practices, helping to improve conditions in mining communities.
Environmental orotection: Ethical diamond sourcing often includes better environmental practices, reducing the ecological impact of mining.
Peace of mind: Knowing that your diamond has been sourced responsibly allows you to enjoy its beauty without ethical concerns. Your diamond – that you wear daily – will fully align with your values and ethics.
Any questions?
At The Diamond Store, we are dedicated to providing our customers with beautiful, responsibly sourced diamonds. By understanding and supporting conflict-free diamonds, you contribute to a more ethical and sustainable diamond industry. Remember, every diamond has a story—choose one that aligns with your values and promotes positive change. If you have any questions about your diamond’s journey, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team, here.
Everything you need to know about conflict free diamond sourcing
In today’s conscientious world, consumers are more aware than ever about the origins of the products they purchase – and, understandably, want their buys to align with their values. Diamonds, often associated with luxury and romance, have a complex history that can include ethical concerns. Understanding the importance of conflict-free diamonds is crucial for both consumers and jewelers, to make positive change. Here’s what you need to know about ethical diamonds and their sourcing, and how to ensure your purchases support responsible practices.
What are conflict free diamonds?
Conflict-free diamonds, also known as ethical diamonds, are stones that have been sourced without funding violence, human rights abuses, or environmental degradation. These diamonds are mined, processed, and sold in ways that comply with rigorous international standards, and promote ethical practices in the diamond industry.
The Kimberley Process
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a crucial initiative established in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream market. The Kimberley Process involves:
While the Kimberley Process has significantly reduced the flow of conflict diamonds all around the world, some argue that the process needs stricter enforcement and greater transparency to address all ethical concerns effectively. It is a great step in the right direction, but other checks ideally need to be done by your jeweller, too. Read more about The Kimberley Process, here.
How we ethically source diamonds
At The Diamond Store, we are committed to ensuring that all our diamonds are conflict-free. We adhere to the Kimberley Process and go beyond its requirements by implementing additional measures to guarantee the ethical sourcing of our diamonds. Here are some steps we take:
How to ensure you are buying conflict free diamonds
As a consumer, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your diamond purchases are conflict-free:
The benefits of ethical diamonds
Choosing conflict-free diamonds has several significant benefits:
Any questions?
At The Diamond Store, we are dedicated to providing our customers with beautiful, responsibly sourced diamonds. By understanding and supporting conflict-free diamonds, you contribute to a more ethical and sustainable diamond industry. Remember, every diamond has a story—choose one that aligns with your values and promotes positive change. If you have any questions about your diamond’s journey, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team, here.
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