Conflict-free diamond

Conflict-free diamonds are diamonds of certified origin which are guaranteed not to be obtained through the use of violence, human rights abuses, child labor, or environmental destruction. These diamonds are individually tracked through their full chain of custody to ensure that ethical practices are used in mining, cutting, and polishing. [http://www.conflictfreediamonds.org/awareness/conflict_free_diamonds.html What Is A Conflict-Free Diamond?] The Conflict-Free Diamond Council, accessed online December 26, 2006.]

Conflict diamonds are often described by the United Nations definition as diamonds "that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the UN Security Council". The U.N. sponsored Kimberley Process addresses only this narrow definition of conflict diamonds,i.e., they do not include governments or government forces that trade in diamonds to finance their conflicts.

Conflict-free diamonds address more than the U.N. definition and are free of all violence and human rights abuses, whether state-sanctioned or directed against a government. In addition, conflict-free diamonds are mined in an environmentally responsible fashion. [http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/oct2006/sb20061018_153239_page_2.htm Shopping for the Guilt-Free Diamond] , "BusinessWeek", October 2006. Accessed online January 4, 2007] Conflict-free diamonds must be independently tracked from their country and individual mine of origin. Almost all conflict-free diamonds today originate in Canada, [DeBare, Ilana. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/12/10/BUGE4MSAUR1.DTL&type=business Canadian gems leave buyers conflicted - Does buying them help or hurt Africa?] , "San Francisco Chronicle", December 10, 2006. Accessed online December 26, 2006.] and are verifiable through an independent auditing system, such as the [http://canadiandiamondcodeofconduct.ca Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct] , [ [http://www.canadiandiamondcodeofconduct.ca/html/EN_home.htm Voluntary Code of Conduct for Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims] , The Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct. Accessed online December 26, 2006] Canadamark, [ [http://www.canadamark.com What is CanadaMark?] , BHP Billiton. Accessed online December 26, 2006.] or the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Conflict free diamonds may be mined in one country and cut in another.

Many people are choosing diamond alternatives to help avoid the potential risk of purchasing a Conflict diamond or Blood diamond, one of the most popular alternative stones in recent years is that of Moissanite

References

External links

* [http://www.bluenile.com Blue Nile - Largest Online Retailer of Conflict-Free Diamond Jewellery]
* [http://www.brilliantearth.com Brilliant Earth - "Luxury With A Conscience", Fine Jewellery From Ethical Sources]
* [http://www.africandiamondcouncil.org African Diamond Council]
* [http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/ms/diam/index_e.htm National Resource Board of Canada]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/diamonds/ CBC 2/5/04: Canada's diamond rush]
* [http://www.diamondsforafricafund.org Diamonds for Africa website]
* [http://www.realdiamondfacts.org Parody of WDC website by Diamonds for Africa]
* [http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-12-03-blood-diamond-side_x.htm Choose Gems that are Legit]
* [http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/oct2006/sb20061018_153239.htm Shopping for the Guilt Free Diamond]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/12/10/BUGE4MSAUR1.DTL&type=business Canadian Gems leaves buyers conflicted]
* [http://cbs5.com/consumer/local_story_345172345.html Consumer Watch on Conflict-Free Diamonds]