We are fully committed to responsible sourcing of diamonds and believe even one conflict diamond is one too many. The Kimberley Process has made significant and historic improvements to stop the trade of illicit diamonds. We support reforms that will make the Kimberley Process stronger. In addition to the Kimberley Process, we support initiatives that address issues related to the sourcing of diamonds and we demand our diamond suppliers provide assurances that the diamonds they sell are not involved in conflict of any kind. We are always striving to reduce our environmental impact while increasing our awareness of the social, human right and economical issues that burden some of the world's regions.
Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds illegally traded by rebel groups to fund armed conflicts with legitimate governments. The issue emerged in Africa during the 1990s. It first caught consumer attention in 1999. During that time, it is estimated that conflict diamonds represented approximately 4% of the world’s diamond production. The jewelry industry worked with governments and NGOs to bring about the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (Kimberley Process), which officially launched in 2003.
The Kimberley Process is a government-mandated system of import/export controls designed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate supply chain. Each Kimberley Process country is legally bound to certify its non-conflict rough diamonds before exporting them. These Kimberley Process certified diamonds must then be exported in a tamper-resistant container and include a forgery-resistant certificate that lists the contents of the container. The certificate is checked upon import to another Kimberley Process country. No uncertified rough diamonds are permitted to enter or leave any Kimberley Process country. While most of the conflicts that prompted the creation of the Kimberley Process had ended by the time the system launched, the Kimberley Process has been effective in preventing and controlling further conflicts of this kind. It currently regulates more than 99% of the rough diamond trade worldwide.