Guide To Buying An Ethically-Sourced Diamond
Where do ethically-sourced diamonds come from?
Look for diamonds originating from Canada.
Canadian diamonds are among the most ethically-mined diamonds in the world. In Canada, diamonds are mined in the Northwest Territories in accordance with Canada's strict labor and environmental laws. Canadian diamond mines work cooperatively with local indigenous communities and take great care to protect the Arctic environment.
Look for diamonds originating from Namibia or Botswana.
Of the countries in Africa that produce diamonds, Botswana and Namibia have done an especially good job of managing their diamond resources. In both these countries, diamonds are helping to pay for investments in education and infrastructure and raise standards of living for all citizens. Mining operations in Namibia and Botswana are violence-free and meet strict labor and environmental standards.
Potential Pitfall: Avoid diamonds from countries including Zimbabwe, Angola, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Diamonds from Zimbabwe and Angola are tainted by killings, torture, beatings, sexual violence, corruption, and the use of forced labor. In Côte d’Ivoire, diamonds are fueling a lengthy civil conflict. Any retailer who admits to providing diamonds from these countries should be strictly avoided.
Potential Pitfall: Avoid retailers who cannot identify a mine or country of origin.
Retailers should know exactly where each of their diamonds was mined. They should also have detailed information about the labor and environmental conditions in place at those mines. Retailers with incomplete information on the source of their diamonds are not providing a reliably ethical product.
Ethically-sourced diamonds originate from countries such as Canada, Namibia, and Botswana.
