Blood Diamonds and the Kimberly Process: A Comprehensive Guide

Diamonds have long held a fascination for humankind, symbolizing beauty, luxury, and enduring love. However, the hidden truth behind many diamonds is a dark and tragic one, a story of war, violence, and exploitation.

Blood diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds, are diamonds that are mined in war zones and used to finance violent conflicts. These diamonds are often smuggled and sold to legitimate diamond dealers, who may not be aware of their origins. The profits from these diamonds are used to fuel wars, fund rebellions, and perpetuate human rights abuses.

Blood Diamond: The Kimberly Process

by Jeremy Hunsinger

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	172 KB
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The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established in 2003 in response to the international outcry over blood diamonds. The process is an international certification scheme designed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond trade. It requires participating countries to implement a system of internal controls and to issue certificates for rough diamonds that are exported, imported, or traded.

How the Kimberley Process Works

The Kimberley Process has three main components:

1. Participant countries: Over 80 countries have signed on to the Kimberley Process, representing 99% of the world's diamond production.
2. System of internal controls: Each participating country must implement a system of internal controls to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond trade. This includes measures such as mine security, diamond registration, and export controls.
3. Kimberley Process Certificates: Each shipment of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a Kimberley Process Certificate. This certificate guarantees that the diamonds have been mined in accordance with the Kimberley Process requirements.

Challenges Faced by the Kimberley Process

Despite its successes, the Kimberley Process has faced a number of challenges:

1. Smuggling: Conflict diamonds can still be smuggled into the legitimate diamond trade, often through neighboring countries that are not participants in the Kimberley Process.
2. Corruption: Corruption at border crossings and in government offices can make it difficult to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond trade.
3. Rebel groups: Rebel groups may control diamond mines and use the profits from diamond sales to finance their activities.

The Importance of the Kimberley Process

Despite these challenges, the Kimberley Process has made a significant impact on the diamond trade. It has helped to reduce the flow of conflict diamonds into the legitimate trade, and it has raised awareness of the issue of blood diamonds.

The Kimberley Process is an essential part of the global effort to end the trade in blood diamonds. It provides a framework for international cooperation and helps to ensure that consumers can buy diamonds with confidence, knowing that they are not supporting violence or human rights abuses.

What Consumers Can Do

Consumers can help to end the trade in blood diamonds by:

• Buying diamonds from reputable jewelers who are committed to ethical sourcing.
• Asking for Kimberley Process certificates when purchasing diamonds.
• Supporting organizations that are working to end the trade in blood diamonds.

By taking these steps, consumers can help to ensure that the diamonds they purchase are conflict-free and that they are not supporting violence or human rights abuses.

The Kimberley Process is a vital tool in the fight against blood diamonds. It is an international certification scheme that has helped to reduce the flow of conflict diamonds into the legitimate diamond trade. However, the process faces a number of challenges, and consumers must be vigilant in their efforts to ensure that they are not supporting the trade in blood diamonds.

By buying diamonds from reputable jewelers, asking for Kimberley Process certificates, and supporting organizations that are working to end the trade in blood diamonds, consumers can help to make a difference.

Blood Diamond: The Kimberly Process

by Jeremy Hunsinger

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	172 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	25 pages

FREE