Conflict Free Diamond Buying Guide
What can I expect from my retailer?
As of 2003 with the introduction of the Kimberley Process, the global diamond industry pledged to:
- Include a written guarantee on all invoices.
- Adopt a code of conduct to prevent the buying or selling of conflict diamonds.
- Train staff about company policies and government regulations.
- Keep records of all invoices and have them audited every year.
Ask to see any retailer's official written policy.
At a bare minimum, every diamond retailer should have an official written policy on conflict diamonds available for public view.
Ask for information about the official store policy on conflict diamonds from a staff member.
If they don't have any information, beware! Staff should be fully aware of company policies and government regulations forbidding the sale of conflict diamonds.
A survey by Amnesty International in February 2007 showed that the majority
of top-selling US retail jewelers do not have adequate policies in place to
combat blood diamonds. A trade report by Rapaport Magazine in September 2007 sent a journalist undercover to Las Vegas and Manhattan jewelry stores asking general questions, including questions about their conflict diamond policies. Here are a few of their shocking responses-none of which should be considered acceptable:
- "Take our word."
- "We wouldn't sell you a bad diamond."
- "No one can guarantee it's not a conflict"
- "There is no such thing, it's a myth."
Many US retail jewelers do not have policies to combat blood diamonds.
