WHAT ARE CONFLICT FREE DIAMONDS?
Mark Schneider Design strictly follows the rules of the Kimberley Process when producing our diamond engagement rings. But what does that mean for you, the consumer? So much has been written about conflict free and conflict diamonds, that much misinformation trickles down and can cloud and worry the potential diamond buyer.
BLOOD DIAMONDS
In order to clear some of the misunderstanding, conflict or blood diamonds originate from areas where rebel forces control the diamond mining and use the profits to buy arms to fight legitimate governments and subjugate the local tribes. Areas of diamond mining that have been hugely affected by these practices are the Congo, Sierra Leone, Angola and Liberia.
THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS CERTIFICATION SCHEME
The diamond industry has globally taken a stand against conflict diamonds and in May 2000, top members of the diamond producing countries met in Kimberley, South Africa to formulate and sign a document called “The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.” The scheme is designed to stop conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream market. To date, approximately 98% of the world’s trade in rough diamonds takes place in and between countries taking part in the Kimberley Process. In order for countries to be participants, the following must be ensured:
- That any diamond originating from the country does not finance a rebel group or other entity seeking to overthrow a United Nations recognized government.
- That every diamond export be accompanied by a Kimberley Process certificate.
- That no diamond is imported from, or exported to a non-member of the scheme.
CLEAN DIAMOND TRADE ACT
Intense measurements have been taken by the United States with the signing of the “Clean Diamond Trade Act” signed by President Bush on April 25th, 2003. This ensures that parcels of rough diamonds entering this country are monitored and reported by customs regulation, computer registry and special import packaging requirements.
At Mark Schneider Design, we take pride in actively supporting the Kimberley Process and The Clean Diamond Trade Act, by ensuring that our diamond suppliers meet the stringent requirements that the certification demands and we are actively in support of all measures which are continually being improved to ensure that our customers are wearing diamonds from legitimate pipelines and sources. You can be assured when purchasing a diamond engagement ring from Mark Schneider Design that your diamond is conflict free.