Conflict-free diamonds – Kimberley Process and certified diamond trade

Transparent proof of the origin of our diamonds

We are committed to selling only diamonds from conflict-free sources. Since the founding of handmade-engagementrings.com, we have insisted that our suppliers also transparently prove the origin of all diamonds and source them exclusively from conflict-free sources.

The handmade-engagementrings.com Origin Promise

1. We only sell diamonds from conflict-free sources. 
2. In the so-called 'system of guarantees,' our suppliers are required to prove the flawless origin of all diamonds used.
3. We strongly support the Kimberley Process, established in the diamond industry, to stop the trade in conflict diamonds. Thanks to this standard, 99% of all diamonds traded worldwide today can be proven to be conflict-free.
4. Fairly mined diamonds create jobs. Around diamond mining, processing, and trading, over ten million people worldwide have work. On the African continent, schools, infrastructure, and hospitals have been built – funded by money earned in the diamond industry. When choosing our suppliers, we pay attention to exactly these social factors.

This is how trading with certified conflict-free diamonds works

A blood diamond, or conflict diamond, is according to the Kimberley Process a diamond that was mined illegally and whose sale is used to finance civil wars and other violent conflicts.
There’s currently some debate about whether this definition needs to be expanded in terms of human rights violations in order to have an even more lasting impact.

Until the final signing of the Kimberley Agreement in 2002, the number of illegally mined diamonds kept growing. In the 1990s, up to 4% of the diamonds traded worldwide were conflict diamonds, which, among other things, funded the bloody fights of rebel groups.

In the diamond industry, the voices of those calling for immediate, collective, and decisive action against the trade in conflict diamonds were getting louder and louder. Partly for business reasons, partly for moral and ethical ones. Around the world, governments joined the diamond industry's demands, which eventually led to the ratification of the Kimberley Agreement on November 5, 2002.

Today, 54 countries (the EU counting as one) and all African diamond producers have officially signed on to the Kimberley Process. Compliance with the criteria is monitored by the UN and carried out jointly by governments, NGOs, and the diamond industry.
 

Trade only with a certificate of origin

Rough diamonds that are traded across national borders must be transported in tamper-proof containers and accompanied by a government-issued certificate of origin. They can only be delivered to countries that have signed the Kimberley Process. Importing into countries that have ratified the Kimberley Process without a valid certificate is prohibited. Participating countries are also required to carry out national controls to prevent illegal trade within their own borders.

The so-called 'System of Guarantees' also requires that each supplier must prove in writing to the recipient the conflict-free source from which the delivered diamonds come.

Exclusively conflict-free diamonds at handmade-engagementrings.com

handmade-engagementrings.com and our manufacturers maintain an active dialogue with all involved diamond dealers. This way, we can ensure that the rules of the Kimberley Process are followed and that only conflict-free goods are distributed through us.

Today, it is proven that over 99% of the diamonds traded worldwide come from conflict-free sources. Everyone involved is working hard to make sure that all diamonds are clean in the future.

By participating in the comprehensive guarantee system, we can give all our customers the assurance: When you buy from us, you are getting products with only flawless diamonds.

Kimberley Agreement: Seamless value chain – against child labor and exploitation

The two biggest companies in the diamond industry, De Beers and Alrosa, produce over 75% of all rough diamonds worldwide. About 150 selected contract partners of these producers – diamond cutters and dealers (called Sightholders) – process and sell the diamonds further, for example to our workshop. That's where the jewelry is made and eventually sold to jewelers or the end customer.

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All the companies involved have committed to the so-called Kimberley Agreement, documenting the journey of every diamond using international standards and certificates of origin. There’s no room for child labor or exploitation in this supply chain.

Impact of the Kimberley Process on the Diamond Trade

The Kimberley Process, which was launched in May 2000, aims to stop the trade in so-called blood diamonds through the state-controlled issuance of certificates of origin. Blood diamonds are (rough) diamonds whose sale is used to fund armed conflicts.

Currently, 54 participants in the Kimberley Process, representing a total of 80 countries, commit to only allowing diamonds certified as conflict-free to enter the legal market. The European member states are involved as one participant in the Kimberley Process through the EU. The diamond industry as well as various NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are also represented in the Kimberley Process. The chairmanship of the participating countries rotates annually.

How is the Kimberley Process implemented?

To become a participant in the Kimberley Process, countries have to meet certain minimum requirements. This includes implementing the Kimberley Process regulations into national law and setting up regulatory authorities. These authorities carry out controls on diamond shipments, including imports, exports, and transits. Participants also commit to providing statistical data for the purposes of the Kimberley Process.

A certified trade in rough diamonds is only allowed between participating countries and must follow the certification system. For shipments of rough diamonds, for example, a valid certificate must be provided to prove that they are conflict-free.

What's happening with the Kimberley Process these days?

Through strict guidelines and monitoring measures of the participants, significant improvements in compliance with the rules have been achieved in various mining areas. Some countries that produce diamonds currently do not meet the necessary requirements and are not allowed to export rough diamonds for the time being.

Other goals of the Kimberley Process are to improve transparency in production, regulate mining and trade, curb illegal trade, and support the miners.