| Diamonds are small, easily transportable and | | | | retailers and to provide consumers with the |
| command high prices. These characteristics | | | | reassurance that their diamond is from a |
| have made diamonds a good source of funds for | | | | conflict free source. |
| coup leaders in Africa and elsewhere. | | | | |
| These smuggled diamonds have been labeled | | | | Diamonds and Development |
| "conflict diamonds" and many consumers are | | | | |
| wary about using a product that they think | | | | Like the gold that is used in gold jewelry, |
| may be related to the suffering of innocent | | | | diamonds are driving economic growth and |
| people. | | | | prosperity in many countries around the |
| | | | world. |
| However, before you skip buying diamonds it | | | | |
| is important to understand the safe-guards | | | | An estimated 65% of the world's diamonds come |
| that have been adopted by the UN and the | | | | from African countries and approximately |
| actual role that diamonds play in the | | | | $8.4 billion worth of diamonds a year are |
| economic life of the developing countries. | | | | exported from Africa. An estimated five |
| | | | million people have access to appropriate |
| In 2000, a coalition of governments, | | | | healthcare globally thanks to revenues from |
| non-governmental organizations and the | | | | diamonds and an estimated 10 million people |
| diamond industry worked together to address | | | | globally are directly or indirectly supported |
| issues related to diamond mining. In 2002, | | | | by the diamond industry. |
| established they established the Kimberley | | | | |
| Process Certification System. This is a | | | | The diamond mining industry generates over |
| UN-backed process that virtually eliminated | | | | 40% of Namibia's annual export earnings and |
| the trade in conflict diamonds. Over 99% of | | | | diamond revenues enable every child in |
| the world's supply of diamonds is now from | | | | Botswana to receive free education up to the |
| conflict-free sources. In addition the | | | | age of 13. Diamonds account for 33% of the |
| Kimberley Process Certification System is | | | | GDP (approximately $3 billion) of Botswana. |
| dedicated to presenting the facts about | | | | Since diamonds were discovered in Botswana, |
| conflict diamonds. | | | | GDP annual growth rate has averaged 7%. In |
| | | | addition, the revenue from diamonds is |
| Conflict diamonds have been reduced from | | | | instrumental in the fight against the HIV |
| approximately 4% to considerably less than 1% | | | | AIDS pandemic. |
| since the implementation of the Kimberley | | | | |
| Process in 2003. In July 2000, the global | | | | Besides the mechanized diamond mining |
| diamond industry announced its zero-tolerance | | | | activities in Africa, it is estimated that |
| policy towards conflict diamonds and | | | | one million people work in the informal |
| continues to drive this policy. For example, | | | | alluvial diamond digging sector. The Diamond |
| Sierra Leone is now at peace and exported | | | | Development Initiative was established to |
| approximately $142 million diamonds in 2005. | | | | improve the working conditions of these |
| | | | artisanal miners. |
| More than 99% of diamonds are currently from | | | | |
| conflict free sources and traded under the | | | | The major role of diamond mining in several |
| UN-mandated Kimberley Process. Under this | | | | African countries has been pointed out by |
| system, rough diamonds can only be exported | | | | several world leaders - including Nelson |
| and imported when accompanied by a | | | | Mandela - who have cited the importance of |
| certificate from the exporting country. | | | | diamonds to the lives of African people. |
| | | | |
| At this moment, 71 governments and the | | | | So, the next time you are buying jewelry you |
| legitimate diamond industry are all committed | | | | can be sure that your diamond is not only |
| and legally bound to eradicating conflict | | | | conflict-free but is helping the poorest |
| diamonds. The diamond industry has introduced | | | | economies of the world get back on their |
| a system to help give greater assurances to | | | | feet. |