What Is the Kimberley Process? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Raw](\"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Raw-Diamond-with-Reflection.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis process is an international initiative whose main goal is to control the raw diamond<\/a> trade. It all started in the year 2000 in Kimberley, South Africa. Countries that produce diamonds in southern Africa gathered to debate about the \u201cconflict diamond\u201d trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSoon after, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to help form an international certification scheme to control the raw diamond trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two years later, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was born. In short, this document explains how to control the production and trade of raw diamonds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, in 2003, all country members started following these rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are Conflict Diamonds? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"No](\"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/No-Conflict-Diamonds.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nConflict diamonds are the main reason behind the KP\u2019s creation. These diamonds also go by the name of \u201cblood\u201d diamonds. So how does a raw diamond become a conflict one? In short, when rebel groups start getting involved. These violent groups use force to take control of diamond production. Then, they sell these gems and use the money to finance wars. Most often, these wars are against governments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make things worse, rival groups fight with each other, which causes even more violence and bloodshed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many blood diamond-related wars have ended, but they\u2019re still a big issue today. Not that long ago, there was a civil war in the Central African Republic for control over diamond production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result of the violence these groups have caused, more than 3,7 million people have lost their lives. Millions lost their homes, and their human rights suffered enormously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What adds to the problem is that some official governments have a big part in mining conflict diamonds. This is why countries affected by these attacks have decided to start a call for action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who Takes Part in the Kimberly Process? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"UN](\"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/UN-Building-with-Flags.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOfficially, the Kimberly Process has 56 members. These are countries around the world that can trade raw diamonds. Most of them are from Africa since this is where more than half of the world\u2019s diamonds originate from. However, there are many Asian member countries as well. Also, all European countries that participate in the raw diamond trade count as a single member (European Union). Basically, all countries that make, export, and import diamonds must take part in the process. For example, if you\u2019re a businessman looking to import diamonds from Canada, you\u2019d have to follow the KPCS guidelines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are other KP members, such as the World Diamond Council and civil society groups. They were a part of the process from day one and made a significant contribution to the program\u2019s workflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Does the Kimberley Process Work? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Kimberly](\"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Kimberly-Process-Documents.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere are some of the basic rules all country members should follow: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Meet the minimum requirements and follow national legislation. <\/li>
- Create new institutions that will control diamond import and export. <\/li>
- Exchange data and information with other country members. The exchange should be transparent. <\/li>
- Only trade with other KP members. That is unless that member doesn\u2019t satisfy the initiative\u2019s minimum requirements. <\/li>
- Mark all shipments as \u201cconflict-free.\u201d Member countries also need to provide a certification proving their products are conflict-free. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
One member country chairs the KP on a rotating basis. Around 16 country members have chaired it so far, Russia being the last one. Also, all members attend plenary sessions twice a year. They review the whole process through annual reports, but also by exchanging and analyzing data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Parts of the World Have a Conflict Diamonds Issue? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Map-of-World.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nToday, the only country with active cases of conflict diamonds is C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire. Rebels from this African country work together to control the areas of diamond production. However, conflict diamonds that originate from this area are only responsible for 0.1% of the global diamond production. The Kimberley Process, along with the United Nations, aims to stop these diamonds from entering the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While there are still issues in C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, many other countries are now conflict diamond free: Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Has the Illegal Diamond Trade Stopped? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No. Unfortunately, the illegal diamond trade has not stopped. Charmian Gooch<\/a> explained why that is. He talked with a diamond trader determined to buy blood diamonds because \u201cif he doesn\u2019t, someone else will.\u201d This conversation dates back to 1997, but it is still relevant today. The reason for this is the lack of effort by other countries to stop the illegal trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is why the KP suffers a lot of criticism today. Another reason is the relatively narrow definition of what a conflict diamond is. For the most part, this initiative\u2019s goal is to cut the rebel\u2019s revenue. But the definition says nothing about the corrupted governments or the treatment of people who participate in the mining process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All this is to say that KP\u2019s initial idea had some positive results, but they haven\u2019t covered everything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are Conflict Diamonds Only Meant to Fund Wars? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The name \u201cconflict diamond\u201d means that these diamonds originate in areas with ongoing military conflict. However, we also consider a diamond to come from a conflict zone in cases other than war funding. In fall 2019, there was an issue in Marange, Zimbabwe. The US banned the import of diamonds from this area because their production included forced labor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Africa is the Earth\u2019s most underdeveloped and poor continent yet is responsible for 65% of the world\u2019s diamond production. This means that the African miners work in miserable conditions. They earn just a couple of dollars per day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back in 2015, there were a couple of mining companies in Marange. However, the following year, Zimbabwe\u2019s president allowed only one company to operate: Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company. And it goes without saying that it\u2019s the government that funds this company. It declared the mining area as protected, and you would need a special document to enter. Otherwise, you could end up going to jail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make this project work, the government moved more than 1,000 families to a new farm. The president promised to give them a new home, healthcare, and education. However, most of those families are still waiting for their president to deliver on his promises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note that this story comes from a conflict-free area. That\u2019s why the KP doesn\u2019t even try to solve the issue. It means that up until 2019, all diamonds that originate from the area had no problems entering the market. It\u2019s yet another reason why this global initiative is so widely criticized today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Clean Diamond Trade Act? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The US president at the time, George W. Bush, signed the Clean Diamond Trade Act (CDTA) in April 2003. According to this act, all diamonds that enter or leave the US need to have a Kimberley Process Certificate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This act states that its primary motivation is human rights issues around the raw diamond trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Can I Know I Have a Conflict Diamond? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Fake](\"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Fake-Diamond-on-Black-Background.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nUnfortunately, there is no easy way to check whether the diamond you have comes from a conflict zone. Especially if it\u2019s a diamond you received as a gift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, you can be on the watch the next time you make a diamond purchase. We recommend only buying diamonds that have a written policy stating they\u2019re conflict-free. You can ask the retailer about the diamond\u2019s origin. This should be no problem if they have nothing to hide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also look for diamonds that have a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certificate. You\u2019ll be able to find information about your diamond\u2019s 4C\u2019s<\/a> here. Just make sure the description matches the diamond you bought. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf your diamond comes from Zimbabwe, Angola, Liberia, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, there\u2019s a chance it might be a conflict one. Instead, look for diamonds from Canada, Namibia, and Botswana. They have been doing a great job when it comes to ethical diamond mining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In saying this, thanks to the Clean Diamond Trade Act, conflict diamonds are extremely rare in the US today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another consideration, and as a Vintage Jewelry Boutique we strongly promote this, is to try and buy a vintage diamond<\/strong>. Vintage diamonds<\/a> have been circulating the market for a long time and are therefore not helping continue the issue of conflict diamonds. Vintage and antique diamonds also have the benefit of being environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat to Remember About the Kimberly Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Solitaire](\"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Solitaire-Diamond-Ring-on-Small-Fingers.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs you can see, the production of diamonds is quite a burning issue today. Ideally, these gems are supposed to be the symbol of love, commitment, and happiness. But that\u2019s not the case everywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve learned that there\u2019s more to the story than mining and featuring diamonds in the jewelry shops. There are dozens of military groups that mine diamonds to fund wars. Consequently, the Kimberley Process has made huge efforts to prevent conflict diamonds from showing up in our jewelry stores. However, due to its members\u2019 lack of motivation, the whole idea now suffers a lot of criticism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve told you everything you need to know about the KP and what lead to its creation. You should now be more aware of the global problem that surrounds the diamond industry. Next time you shop for a diamond, demand that it be conflict-free<\/strong>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Diamond jewelry is one of the most fabulous and luxurious items you can own. If you\u2019ve ever bought one, you probably know about its physical features. But do you know the origin of your diamonds? Their journey from beneath the Earth\u2019s surface to a notable retailer\u2019s shop is more complicated than you might think. Maybe you didn\u2019t know that there are people around the world who mine diamonds\u00a0to start wars. As this was an ongoing\u00a0problem, governments around the world decided to put an end to it.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2229,"featured_media":23131,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[92],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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He received his gemological degrees from both GIA and GUBELIN. Benjamin was born in New York and joined Estate Diamond Jewelry in 2014. He is passionate about vintage jewelry and vintage diamonds. This blog was built based on his strong belief that there is a responsibility for jewelers to properly educate their customers. In 2019, Benjamin co-published the book The Engagement Ring Guide for Men. His favorite vintage jewelry era is the Art Deco Era and his favorite type of stone is the Kashmir Sapphire. He also collects rare antique pins.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/about-estate-diamond-jewelry\/#benjaminkhordipour","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/estatediamondjewelry","https:\/\/twitter.com\/estatediamondje"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10319"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2229"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10319"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42250,"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10319\/revisions\/42250"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.estatediamondjewelry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis process is an international initiative whose main goal is to control the raw diamond<\/a> trade. It all started in the year 2000 in Kimberley, South Africa. Countries that produce diamonds in southern Africa gathered to debate about the \u201cconflict diamond\u201d trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon after, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to help form an international certification scheme to control the raw diamond trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two years later, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was born. In short, this document explains how to control the production and trade of raw diamonds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, in 2003, all country members started following these rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conflict diamonds are the main reason behind the KP\u2019s creation. These diamonds also go by the name of \u201cblood\u201d diamonds. So how does a raw diamond become a conflict one? In short, when rebel groups start getting involved. These violent groups use force to take control of diamond production. Then, they sell these gems and use the money to finance wars. Most often, these wars are against governments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To make things worse, rival groups fight with each other, which causes even more violence and bloodshed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many blood diamond-related wars have ended, but they\u2019re still a big issue today. Not that long ago, there was a civil war in the Central African Republic for control over diamond production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result of the violence these groups have caused, more than 3,7 million people have lost their lives. Millions lost their homes, and their human rights suffered enormously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What adds to the problem is that some official governments have a big part in mining conflict diamonds. This is why countries affected by these attacks have decided to start a call for action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Officially, the Kimberly Process has 56 members. These are countries around the world that can trade raw diamonds. Most of them are from Africa since this is where more than half of the world\u2019s diamonds originate from. However, there are many Asian member countries as well. Also, all European countries that participate in the raw diamond trade count as a single member (European Union). Basically, all countries that make, export, and import diamonds must take part in the process. For example, if you\u2019re a businessman looking to import diamonds from Canada, you\u2019d have to follow the KPCS guidelines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are other KP members, such as the World Diamond Council and civil society groups. They were a part of the process from day one and made a significant contribution to the program\u2019s workflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the basic rules all country members should follow: <\/p>\n\n\n\n One member country chairs the KP on a rotating basis. Around 16 country members have chaired it so far, Russia being the last one. Also, all members attend plenary sessions twice a year. They review the whole process through annual reports, but also by exchanging and analyzing data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, the only country with active cases of conflict diamonds is C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire. Rebels from this African country work together to control the areas of diamond production. However, conflict diamonds that originate from this area are only responsible for 0.1% of the global diamond production. The Kimberley Process, along with the United Nations, aims to stop these diamonds from entering the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While there are still issues in C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, many other countries are now conflict diamond free: Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No. Unfortunately, the illegal diamond trade has not stopped. Charmian Gooch<\/a> explained why that is. He talked with a diamond trader determined to buy blood diamonds because \u201cif he doesn\u2019t, someone else will.\u201d This conversation dates back to 1997, but it is still relevant today. The reason for this is the lack of effort by other countries to stop the illegal trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why the KP suffers a lot of criticism today. Another reason is the relatively narrow definition of what a conflict diamond is. For the most part, this initiative\u2019s goal is to cut the rebel\u2019s revenue. But the definition says nothing about the corrupted governments or the treatment of people who participate in the mining process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All this is to say that KP\u2019s initial idea had some positive results, but they haven\u2019t covered everything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The name \u201cconflict diamond\u201d means that these diamonds originate in areas with ongoing military conflict. However, we also consider a diamond to come from a conflict zone in cases other than war funding. In fall 2019, there was an issue in Marange, Zimbabwe. The US banned the import of diamonds from this area because their production included forced labor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Africa is the Earth\u2019s most underdeveloped and poor continent yet is responsible for 65% of the world\u2019s diamond production. This means that the African miners work in miserable conditions. They earn just a couple of dollars per day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Back in 2015, there were a couple of mining companies in Marange. However, the following year, Zimbabwe\u2019s president allowed only one company to operate: Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company. And it goes without saying that it\u2019s the government that funds this company. It declared the mining area as protected, and you would need a special document to enter. Otherwise, you could end up going to jail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To make this project work, the government moved more than 1,000 families to a new farm. The president promised to give them a new home, healthcare, and education. However, most of those families are still waiting for their president to deliver on his promises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that this story comes from a conflict-free area. That\u2019s why the KP doesn\u2019t even try to solve the issue. It means that up until 2019, all diamonds that originate from the area had no problems entering the market. It\u2019s yet another reason why this global initiative is so widely criticized today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The US president at the time, George W. Bush, signed the Clean Diamond Trade Act (CDTA) in April 2003. According to this act, all diamonds that enter or leave the US need to have a Kimberley Process Certificate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This act states that its primary motivation is human rights issues around the raw diamond trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, there is no easy way to check whether the diamond you have comes from a conflict zone. Especially if it\u2019s a diamond you received as a gift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you can be on the watch the next time you make a diamond purchase. We recommend only buying diamonds that have a written policy stating they\u2019re conflict-free. You can ask the retailer about the diamond\u2019s origin. This should be no problem if they have nothing to hide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also look for diamonds that have a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certificate. You\u2019ll be able to find information about your diamond\u2019s 4C\u2019s<\/a> here. Just make sure the description matches the diamond you bought. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your diamond comes from Zimbabwe, Angola, Liberia, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, there\u2019s a chance it might be a conflict one. Instead, look for diamonds from Canada, Namibia, and Botswana. They have been doing a great job when it comes to ethical diamond mining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In saying this, thanks to the Clean Diamond Trade Act, conflict diamonds are extremely rare in the US today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another consideration, and as a Vintage Jewelry Boutique we strongly promote this, is to try and buy a vintage diamond<\/strong>. Vintage diamonds<\/a> have been circulating the market for a long time and are therefore not helping continue the issue of conflict diamonds. Vintage and antique diamonds also have the benefit of being environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, the production of diamonds is quite a burning issue today. Ideally, these gems are supposed to be the symbol of love, commitment, and happiness. But that\u2019s not the case everywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve learned that there\u2019s more to the story than mining and featuring diamonds in the jewelry shops. There are dozens of military groups that mine diamonds to fund wars. Consequently, the Kimberley Process has made huge efforts to prevent conflict diamonds from showing up in our jewelry stores. However, due to its members\u2019 lack of motivation, the whole idea now suffers a lot of criticism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve told you everything you need to know about the KP and what lead to its creation. You should now be more aware of the global problem that surrounds the diamond industry. Next time you shop for a diamond, demand that it be conflict-free<\/strong>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Diamond jewelry is one of the most fabulous and luxurious items you can own. If you\u2019ve ever bought one, you probably know about its physical features. But do you know the origin of your diamonds? Their journey from beneath the Earth\u2019s surface to a notable retailer\u2019s shop is more complicated than you might think. Maybe you didn\u2019t know that there are people around the world who mine diamonds\u00a0to start wars. As this was an ongoing\u00a0problem, governments around the world decided to put an end to it.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2229,"featured_media":23131,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[92],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Are Conflict Diamonds? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWho Takes Part in the Kimberly Process? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Does the Kimberley Process Work? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhich Parts of the World Have a Conflict Diamonds Issue? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHas the Illegal Diamond Trade Stopped? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are Conflict Diamonds Only Meant to Fund Wars? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Clean Diamond Trade Act? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Can I Know I Have a Conflict Diamond? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat to Remember About the Kimberly Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n