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