Conflict Free Diamonds

What are Conflict Free Diamonds?

Conflict diamonds, also known as "blood diamonds", was first gained national exposure in the 90’s during the civil wars between Liberia and Sierra Leone (1989-2001). Liberia got weapons and training in exchange for diamonds and soon a rebellious battle against the government add also a battle to control the local diamond mines, and war ended millions of lives.

Since the Sierra Leone War, the term "conflict diamonds" has been used to describe any diamonds that are illegally sold to fund hostile warfare and associated with human rights abuses including violence and worker exploitation, as well as environmental damage.

Since the Sierra Leone War, the ratio of conflict diamonds in the gemstone industry has decreased considerably, from up to 15% down to less than 1%. The most effective means of eradicating conflict diamonds from the market entirely is for jewelers and their suppliers to boycott the countries that sell them.

What is the Conflict Free Diamond Guarantee?

Conflict free diamonds are guaranteed to originate from ethical and environmentally responsible sources. Conflict free diamonds are free from violence and other human rights abuses, and are produced with minimal environmental impact.

About the Kimberley Process

The Kimberley Process is an international governmental certification scheme that was set up to prevent the trade in diamonds that fund conflict. Launched in January 2003, the scheme requires governments to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from blood diamonds.

The ultimate objective of the Kimberley Process is for all diamond trading to follow a stabilized, legitimate procedure while complying with all environmental and social regulations.

Today, approximately 99.8% of the world's diamond distributors adhere to all guidelines of the Kimberley Process as a means of boycotting conflict diamonds. In addition to working to eliminate conflict diamonds, the Kimberley Process has also worked to boost the economic development of impoverished countries by increasing the flow of legitimately acquired diamonds into the jewelry market.

Ethical Sourcing

25karats.com deals exclusively with conflict-free diamonds. We only purchase diamonds through the largest and most respected suppliers who, like us, proudly adhere to and enforce the standards established by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. All of our diamonds are guaranteed to be conflict free. If one of our suppliers was ever found to be in violation of that process, we would immediately sever that relationship. We will continue to support and promote any process that works to uphold legitimacy in the diamond trade.