Blood Diamonds Smuggled into Legal Diamond Trade
Analysis of the Kimberley Process and top jewelry retailers
Apr 24, 2009 Vanessa Padgalskas
Conflict diamonds, also referred to as blood diamonds, are mined by enslaved men and smuggled into the legitimate diamond trade. The earnings are used to fund civil wars and perpetuate the brutal and merciless efforts of rebel movements.
In Sierra Leone’s civil war that lasted from 1991 to 2002, diamonds were used to fund the rebel Revolutionary United Front that aimed at overthrowing the government. The rebels used the money from selling diamonds to buy guns to fund their war effort. The rebels enslaved men and children, raped women, and frequently amputated the limbs of their victims.
Global Witness and the Kimberley Process Work to Stop Trade of Blood Diamonds
Global Witness is an organization that works to end the “corrupt exploitation of natural resources and international trade systems.” In 1998, Global Witness started a campaign called ‘Combating Conflict Diamonds,’ that revealed how diamonds are used to fund conflict. In 2003, the Kimberley Process, a diamond certification program, was created by representatives from the major diamond trading and producing countries, the major diamond industries, and NGOs.
The Kimberley Process enforces a set of requirements to help its 49 members declare shipments of rough diamonds as “conflict free” and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legal diamond trade.
Shortfalls of the Kimberley Process
The Kimberley Process is not an infallible way to restrict conflict diamonds from the legitimate diamond trade. A report written by Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada titled “Loupe Holes: Illicit Diamonds in the Kimberley Process,” concluded that “the trafficking of illicit stones is looking more like a dangerous rule than an exception.”
Many blood diamonds are smuggled into the diamond trade from Cote d’Ivoire and Venezuela. Currently, Venezuela has voluntarily stopped its diamond trade, and Cote d’Ivoire is under UN sanctions so they cannot trade in rough diamonds. Despite their blatant disregard for the Kimberley Process, Cote d’Ivoire and Venezuela are still members.
The Partnership Africa Canada reported in January 2009 that the diamond mines in Zimbabwe, a Kimberly Process member, “resembled a military garrison.” PAC believes that workers are being forced by the authorities to work at the mines. Some Kimberley Process members claimed that Kimberley is not a human rights organization, and therefore is not obligated to look into possible diamond industry abuses in Zimbabwe.
Top Jewelers Not Taking Meaningful Action to Combat Blood Diamonds
From December 2006 to February 2007, Global Witness and Amnesty International surveyed 37 jewelers listed by National Jeweler magazine as $100 Million Supersellers. The survey results revealed top jewelers are not taking strong enough measures to ensure conflict diamonds are not being sold at their stores. Global Witness and Amnesty International listed the following facts about the outcome of their survey:
- Half of the surveyed jewelers did not respond to requests to provide information about their blood diamond policies.
- 56 percent of jewelers that responded do not have an auditing procedure in place to battle blood diamonds.
- 57 percent of jewelers do not have information posted on their website regarding their blood diamond policies.
Leading jewelry retailers Tiffany and Co. and Zales came out on top, because they have strengthened their diamond policies and auditing system to ensure they are not dealing with conflict diamonds. Scroll through the survey results to find out which jewelers do not take adequate action against conflict diamonds.
How to Avoid Buying Conflict Diamonds as a Consumer
Consumers must take extra steps to avoid buying conflict diamonds. Retailers that are committed to selling conflict-free diamonds will most likely have their conflict diamond policies posted on their website.
Global Witness and Amnesty International recommend asking a retailer the following questions before buying a diamond from them:
- How can I be sure none of your jewelry contains conflict diamonds?
- Do you know where the diamonds you sell come from?
- Can I see a copy of your company’s policy on conflict diamonds?
- Can you show me a written guarantee from your suppliers stating that your diamonds are conflict free?
Sources:
“Blood Diamonds?” Economist. April 6, 2009
“New survey shows US retailers are not doing enough to combat blood diamonds.” Global Witness. February 2, 2007
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