You may think that blood diamonds were a thing of the past, but new information shows that the market is still thriving – meaning conflict diamonds are sneakily making their way onto our fingers.
Information was released a few months ago that shows Zimbabwe’s Marange mine fields are supporting mining that funds violence and corruption. However, this same mine was recently readmitted into the Kimberley Process – a UN certification that guarantees a mine is conflict free.
How could this be? The answer is in the details. The Kimberley Process definition of “conflict free” only covers diamonds directly funding rebel armies in areas of conflict. It doesn’t cover violence by a government against its own people. Thus, Zimbabwe’s Marange mines slipped through the cracks.
This fatal flaw in the Kimberley Process has created somewhat of an uprising. For example, Global Witness – the leading organization dedicated to the ethical mining of natural resources – pulled out of the Kimberley Process assembly, accusing it of being an “accomplice to diamond laundering.”
To put all of the information into perspective, below you will find a compilation of all the data showing corruption in the Marange fields of Zimbabwe. Take away from this?
Always know where your diamonds come from.
If your jeweler cannot show proof of where the diamond came from, move along. And remember, a government stamp of approval isn’t always the answer. Do your research and make sure you are supporting an ethical jeweler.
(via Ingle & Rhode Ethical Diamonds).
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