What are conflict-diamonds?

Understanding conflict-free diamonds begins with recognizing the issue of 'conflict diamonds.' The diamond industry has faced significant criticism due to many diamonds being mined in regions plagued by violent conflicts. Rebel groups often control these mines and use the profits from diamond sales to fund their battles against governments and inflict harm on civilians. These diamonds are referred to as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds.

For instance, in Sierra Leone, rebel factions utilized diamonds to purchase weapons and pay their soldiers. In the 1990s, the diamond trade fueled a civil war that resulted in the deaths of 75,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Additionally, natural diamonds are often extracted from countries with poor working conditions and low wages. An article from Time Magazine highlighted that "Hundreds of miners die every year in tunnel collapses that are seldom reported because they happen so often."

Of the $81.4 billion diamond industry, 65% of diamonds originate from Africa. According to a U.N. report published by Reuters a few years ago, 140,000 carats of conflict diamonds were smuggled out of the Central African Republic, a war-torn region, with a retail value of $24 million.

While it is a common belief that diamonds are exclusively sourced from Africa, they are actually mined worldwide, including in Russia, Canada, and Australia. Russia is a major producer of smaller diamonds. Many engagement rings, earrings, pendants, and other jewelry pieces sold in the U.S. come from diamond mines in northeastern Russia. However, the revenue from these Russian diamonds is being used to finance the country's military actions against Ukraine, leading several nations to classify these gems as 'conflict diamonds.'

A recent article from The New York Times reported that "Now, the United States and other countries are taking action that could officially label Russian diamonds as 'conflict diamonds,' claiming their sale helps pay for Russia's deadly aggression in Ukraine. 'Proceeds from that production are benefiting the same state that is conducting a premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified war,' said George Cajati, a U.S. State Department official."

Will the diamond industry ever be free from conflict stones? While the natural diamond industry might always have issues with controversial sourcing practices, conflict-free diamonds offer a solution. They are mined without contributing to violence or oppression, providing peace of mind. And the best part is that they are just as stunning as any other diamonds!

What are conflict-free diamonds?

The diamond industry is making efforts to trace diamonds from the mines to retail stores to prevent the sale of conflict gems. This process adheres to the standards set by the Kimberley Process (KP), an international, voluntary certification scheme aimed at eliminating the trade of conflict diamonds.

The KP requires participating countries to certify that the diamonds they export are conflict-free, based on their origin and the methods used in their extraction and trade. However, this is a challenging task since it is impossible to guarantee that a natural diamond in a jewelry store is completely conflict-free.

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Do 100% conflict-free mined diamonds exist?

Many diamond mining companies claim they avoid using conflict diamonds, but verifying these assertions is challenging. The difficulty in tracing a diamond's origin is compounded by the fact that diamonds often undergo cutting and polishing in multiple countries, obscuring their true source and making it hard to confirm their conflict-free status.

The New York Times article also states, "In 2003, the diamond industry established the Kimberley Process, an international certification system designed to reassure consumers that the diamonds they bought were conflict-free. But more than 10 years later, while the process did reduce the number of conflict diamonds on the market, it remains riddled with loopholes, unable to stop many diamonds mined in war zones or under other egregious circumstances from being sold in international markets."

Each year, hundreds of thousands of rough diamonds mined in African countries are sent abroad for cutting, polishing, and grading. Throughout this journey, a single diamond can change hands 20-30 times before arriving at a jewelry store. This complex process makes it extremely difficult to ensure a diamond is entirely conflict-free.

What are my options for buying a conflict-free diamond?

Fortunately, lab-grown diamonds are always conflict-free! Because they are created in a lab under controlled conditions, you can be sure they are never associated with conflict, violence, or war. Opting for conflict-free or lab-created diamonds offers several benefits over traditionally mined diamonds:

  • 100% Conflict-Free

Lab-grown diamonds are assured to be conflict-free, a guarantee that mined diamonds cannot always provide. Mined diamonds may come from regions afflicted by war crimes, human trafficking, or genocide, whereas lab-grown diamonds are produced in laboratories, bypassing these ethical issues.

  • More Affordable

Lab-grown diamonds are typically more affordable than their mined counterparts due to lower production costs. They don't involve costly mining operations and labor. Additionally, they are created in controlled environments, ensuring consistent quality with every diamond produced, a consistency that mined diamonds can't always match.

  • Ethically Sourced

Choosing lab-grown diamonds means supporting ethical and responsible sourcing that doesn't exploit labor or fund conflicts. They offer a moral and accessible alternative, aligning with the growing consumer preference for jewelry that is not only beautiful but also promotes positive social and environmental impacts.

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