Ethical diamonds, commonly known as Conflict-free Diamonds, are diamonds that have gone through a vigorous process to ensure they comply with the Kimberley Process.
The Kimberley Process is a unique joint initiative involving governments, the international Diamond industry and NGOs to stem the flow of conflict diamonds. Steps to achieve this shared objective began in May 2000 and by December 2000, all 191 members of the United
Nations General Assembly voted unanimously to support the process. This was the first time that a global industry had cooperated with the United Nations, governments and civil society to address an important humanitarian issue.
By the beginning of 2003, 52 Governments had agreed to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and adopted it as national law. In essence, participants agreed to only allow the export and import of rough diamonds between other countries endorsing the Kimberley Process and countries in conflict were barred from becoming a member.(source Word Diamond Council)
Conflict diamonds (otherwise known Blood Diamonds) according to the most commonly used definition, are diamonds that fund rebel insurgencies against recognised national governments. At Raffini Jewellers, we ensure that all our diamonds are Ethical Diamonds, as we consider it as a moral imperative. Currently more than 99% of the world’s diamonds are from conflict free sources and are officially traded under the UN mandated Kimberley Process.