Conflict Free Diamonds

"Conflict-Free" diamonds are stones the trade in which has not supported civil war, terrorism, or brutality against local populations. This designation arose in response to the turmoil surrounding the diamond trade, especially in Angola, Sierra Leone, and The Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as other areas of South Africa. In these regions, the diamond trade was taken over by violent rebels and warlords. While using the funds from diamond mines guarded by paramilitary and mercenary troops, these guerilla forces have been known to terrorize local villages and mutilate miners and trespassers, including subjecting people to forced amputations.

In response to this abominable situation, several watchdog groups arose, and their combined efforts, including consciousness-raising in the West, and political and economic pressure, led South African countries with a legitimate trade in diamonds to implement a new system called the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). This system tracks every diamond from mine to supplier or jeweler, and each Conflict-Free diamond is authenticated as originating from a nonviolent source.

A recent survey conducted by Amnesty International showed that while consumer interest in Conflict-Free diamonds has risen, jewelry retailers have been somewhat slow to respond. Only 27% of the responding jewelers indicated they had a policy on Conflict-Free diamonds, and only 13% were willing to certify that their diamonds were "clean."

However, the international movement to end the trade in Blood Diamonds has gained tremendous momentum. The United Nations, The European Commission, the World Diamond Organization (the main trade group in diamonds), and even giant diamond supplier, DeBeers, have agreed to trade only in KPCS-certified diamonds. These breakthroughs have largely resulted from grassroots, consumer pressure.

ALL DIAMONDS SUPPLIED BY DELICIOUS DIAMONDS ARE COMPLIENT WITH THE KPCS.