Millions of lives have been lost in the name of diamonds, says The Conflict-Free Diamond Council, a non-profit organization working to increase awareness and action regarding conflict diamonds. In fact, sources say that diamond mines have funded African civil wars for decades. Moreover, Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary United Front, Angola’s National Union for the Total Independence, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had the Liberian government’s support in using child soldiers and overlooking civilian murders. Child labour, un-ethical practices and pitiful wages are part of conflict diamond production.
The Kimberley Process
Reacting to public awareness and outcry regarding conflict diamonds, in 2003, the United Nations introduced the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Also, the United States established The Clean Diamond Act in participation with KPCS. Today, within the KPCS organization, there are 49 members representing 75 countries, reports KPCS’s official site. The European Community and its Member States are counted as an individual participant.
Though The Conflict-Free Diamond Council says the KPCS is flawed, the council admits it is a well-intentioned attempt in certifying that diamonds are conflict free. In compliance with the KPCS, members must ship diamonds in tamper-resistant containers with a government validated Kimberley Process Certificate. KPCS members may only do business with fellow members. Though the last country of export has to be to be declared, the diamond’s country of origin does not. With this loophole, conflict diamonds still leak into mainstream market.
Government Certified Canadian Diamond Program
Government Certified Canadian Diamond Program ensures diamonds are mined, cut and polished in Canada’s Yellowknife and Northwest Territories. These diamonds carry a serial number recorded in a confidential database and ensure ethical business practice.
Fashion Takes Action
Fashion Takes Action, FTA, is a member-based organization working with independent designers, retailers and consumers. FTA helps integrate sustainable choices in their design and shopping habits. Members include ethical jewelry brands Bazant Unique Adornments, Christine Mighion jewelry, Ecobling and Ecocessories.
Bazant Unique Adornments
Toronto designer Lara Bazant creates pieces in her studio in the city’s Distillery District. The pieces are made from vintage sterling silver and sourced from natural and fair trade stones.
Christine Mighion jewelry
Christine Mighion crafts her jewelry from her studio in Northern Indiana. Every creation is made entirely from recycled gold or silver and uses conflict-free diamonds.
Ecobling
Processors and artisans in remote locations of the developing world are partners with this Canadian business. The raw materials are guaranteed to be supplied ethically. Their website, ecobling.ca, says, “Our primary focus is to create high demand products under Socially Responsible; Environmentally Friendly; and Sustainable “eco” and economic practices.”
Ecocessories
Ecocessories’s Mission Statement states: ecocessories™ is committed to reducing waste in the world and creating a more sustainable lifestyle by reusing existing resources. One-of-a-kind jewelry and accessories are hand-crafted using recycled and fair trade materials. The company participates in an overall mission to create a more harmonious planet by slowing down the consumption of resources and supporting fair trade business.
Sources
The Conflict-Free Diamond Council
