The Straight Goods On Conflict Diamonds

When you buy something as significant and timeless as a diamond, for every occasion, it is logical that you would like to know history of valuable memento.

In the late 1990's, the world became aware of the existence of "conflict diamonds" jewels that have been used to finance rebel or invading army war effort.

Today, more than 99% of the diamonds in the world providing free and checked conflict reputable retailers and suppliers of diamonds in the world never embraced a policy for the countries involved in supporting the diamond trade are still dealing with these practices. But retailers like Spence Diamonds see the value in educating their clients and staff on the issue of conflict diamonds, a better understanding of the importance and the process of diamonds obtained through fair trade.

In 2000, a joint initiative supported by the United Nations General Assembly created the Kimberly Process, an international certification system for diamonds illegally traded to eliminate. Today 69 countries are legally bound by the rules of this strict and thorough process.

Any trade in diamonds between these 69 countries (which Canada, the USA, Belgium and many African countries involved in trade in diamonds) reflect these guidelines:

Each participating country must be in place laws that mandate the Kimberly Process
Each shipment of diamonds are inspected to ensure that each shipment meets the guidelines
They are then transported in tamper resistant containers
They must be accompanied by a unique number, the government validated Kimberley Process Certificate
Consignments may only be made to the countries participating in the Kimberly Process
Each diamond sold by a retailer must be accompanied by the following guarantee:

"The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with UN resolutions. Undersigned hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict-free based on personal knowledge and / or written assurances from the supplier these diamonds.

In a very short time, the Kimberly Process had a significant impact. In the six years since the launch of the Kimberley Process reduced the trade in conflict diamonds, from 4% to less than 1% of the entire diamond industry.

Retailers like Spence Diamonds have always maintained a strict policy about the provenance of their diamonds. The diamonds in Spence stores come from large, reputable suppliers to ensure that diamonds from the Kimberley Process diamond-based countries such as Belgium and Canada. As a major center for trade in diamonds, Belgium has always a system for control of diamonds, even before the creation of the Kimberly Process. Today, a Belgian diamond wholesalers service of the highest level of security when it comes to trade in diamonds, according to the UN. All diamonds Spence Certified for conflict diamonds.