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Blood Diamonds: an unacceptable Conflict

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In Mid-December, a movie called "the Blood Diamond", starring Leonardo DiCaprio will be released. Here we present a little background on the history portrayed in the movie.

Conflict diamonds (sometimes referred to as "blood diamonds.") are diamonds illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa.

Conflict diamonds captured the world's attention during the extremely brutal conflict in Sierra Leone in the late 1990s. There were stories of the barbarous behavior of the rebels, enforcing their will through amputations, rape and murder of entire villages. These rebels used revenues from the diamond producing areas they had seized to fund their war efforts. (Today, The conflict in Sierra Leone has been settled, and UN peacekeeping troops have even withdrawn.)

During this time, it is estimated that conflict diamonds represented approximately 4% of the world's diamond production. Illicit rough diamonds have also been used by rebels to fund conflicts in Angola, Liberia, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo (also known as Congo Brazzaville).Today, the flow of conflict diamonds has been reduced to considerably less than 1%. There are three diamond producing countries that account for this small percentage. Firstly, the Republic of Congo has been suspended from participation in the Kimberley Process owing to areas of non-compliance. Secondly, Liberia and the Ivory Coast are under United Nations Security Council Resolutions to prohibit the extraction and trading of diamonds. Despite both the Republic of Congo and Liberia benefiting from internationally recognized peace agreements, diamonds from these countries may be referred to as "conflict diamonds".

In July 2000, the global diamond industry made clear to the international community its zero tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds. Dedicated to eradicating the trade in conflict diamonds, it worked closely with the United Nations, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada to create the Kimberley Process Certification System. This system was formally adopted in 2003 and guards against conflict diamonds entering the legitimate diamond supply chain. The diamond industry also adopted a voluntary System of Warranties to assure consumers that their diamonds are from sources free of conflict.

Today 71 governments have enshrined into their national law the Kimberley Process Certification System, and now more than 99% of the world's diamonds are from conflict free sources. However, even one conflict diamond is one too many. The diamond industry continues to work with governments, NGOs and the UN to strengthen the Kimberley Process and the System of Warranties.

While diamonds have been used to fund conflict, the problem is not the diamonds themselves but the rebels who exploit diamonds (along with other natural resources) to achieve their illicit goals. The vast majority of diamonds come from countries at peace. These countries have been able to invest the revenue from diamonds into the development of infrastructure, schools and hospitals for the good of the communities in which diamonds are found. These countries include Australia, Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia, South Africa and Tanzania.
Today, more than 99% of the world's diamonds are now from conflict free sources and are officially traded under the UN mandated Kimberley Process.

Foxfire's Response

At Foxfire Jewelers, we were appalled when we heard of the problems surrounding some African diamond trade. We followed the stories in the late 1990's in the trade press closely, and waited for a resolution.

We knew that legitimate diamond production is vital to many African countries economies, and eagerly awaited a solution to the problem.

However, when Sirius Diamond Company, of Canada, who we were already doing business with, told us they would be cutting the diamonds from Canada's newly established Ekati Diamond Mine, we became the first jeweler in the area to carry them: Polar Bear brand Diamonds.

Today Sirius is gone, but the Ekati mine is still going and has been joined by other mines in Canada, Diavik, and soon Snap Lake and others. We remain committed to offering Canadian Diamonds, from our closest friend and neighbor... as always well cut, fully certified and always conflict free. They are from the world's most socially and ecologically responsible diamond mine™. We carry the Canadia™, Polar Bear™, Polar Ice™, and Arctic Love™ brands.

At the same time our supply of World Diamonds come to us with Kimberly Process certifications and warranties, so we can feel comfortable and proud to sell them, too. We offer a variety of diamonds, with beautiful cut proportions and shapes, carefully graded clarity and color, in a wide range of carat weights.

All come with our conflict free diamond certificate (see sample.)

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Email us at:

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(425)-485-0625.

Foxfire Jewelers
14176 NE Woodinville-Duvall Road
Woodinville, WA 98072

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