Peter Groom Jewellery — Conflict Diamonds

Conflict Diamonds

People have recently been made more aware of conflict diamonds. But what are they?

In 1998, the industry became aware that rebel movements in Africa were selling, among other things, illegally obtained diamonds to pay for their wars. As awareness grew, it became apparent that this illegal trade and the rebel wars it supported were causing a great deal of human suffering.

To help to stop this the industry formed a process by which such diamonds could not enter the legitimate rough diamond trade. The Kimberley Process was formed.

The Kimberley Process sets rules for the import and export of of rough diamonds. Every shipment of diamonds that crosses an international border must be certified, numbered and sealed. It includes tamper resistant containers and forgery resistant certificates. Manufacturers around the world also agreed on a system of self-regulation, by which any diamond traded must be accompanied by a written statement guarenteeing that the diamonds being sold are from legitimate sources.

This means that now 99% of all diamonds sold are from conflict free regions.

Peter Groom Jewellery does not buy from a supplier unless they work in line with the Kimberley Process and agree to do so in writing. We believe it is important to help to protect these vulnerable countries.