A Diamond is supposed to evoke a sense of purity, eternal beauty or love not injustice, unspeakable brutality and malignant human rights abuse. If you find yourself wondering how to avoid buying conflict diamonds, I have some bad news and some good news.
The bad news:
It is difficult to stop conflict diamonds from entering the markets both due to their attractive low prices and the geopolitical nature from where they originate.
The good news:
There is growing consumer awareness of these blood diamonds. Legislations by both countries and international bodies along with initiatives by the diamond industry itself are enabling buyers to take steps and avoid buying these conflict diamonds.
Here is a step by step guide on how to avoid blood diamonds:
Step # 1: Kimberly Process
Look for reputable jeweler to buy conflict free diamonds. A reputable jeweler should have suppliers who complain with the Kimberly process. The Kimberly Process is adopted by the World Diamond Council and is backed by the United Nations. It is designed to eradicate the trade in conflict diamonds. Therefore suppliers who comply with it can provide guarantees that their sources of diamonds are conflict free.
Step # 2: System of Warranties
All legitimate diamond suppliers will provide written statements to their retailers which declare that their diamond sources are conflict free, it is called the System of warranties and is another safeguard against trade of conflict diamonds. If you are in any doubt, ask to see these documents.
Step # 3: Company Policy
Any reputable jeweler should have a company policy which deals with the issue of conflict diamonds, always ask your jeweler for a copy of this.
Step # 4: Consumer Awareness
Always remember to ask questions about blood diamonds, let your jeweler know that you are concerned about it. Although seemingly a simple act, it will go a long way in strengthening processes that safeguards against exploitations.
Step # 5: Local Laws
For consumers in US there is the Clean Diamond Act which was passed to comply with the Kimberly Process. Therefore ask your jeweler if their diamonds that are guaranteed under this Act. For consumers in Canada there is Voluntary Code of Conduct, this system is one of the most comprehensive when it comes to authenticating diamonds but it is voluntary. Therefore ask if your jeweler is a participant to ensure you do not end up buying blood diamonds.
Although the Kimberly Process, System of Warranties and individual legislation by a number of countries including The Clean Diamond Act passed in the US has managed to significantly reduce this particular trade although they are far from perfect and there is still a long way to go in eliminating trade in blood diamonds.
Only with more stringent procedures such as the Canadian Voluntary Code combined with consumer awareness in following the listed steps above to avoid buying conflict diamonds will give a lasting solution.
In the end, avoiding blood diamonds will allow your intentions to signify eternal love or commitment to be even more meaningful. This is because it helps the communities that are the source of these diamonds.
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