If I buy a diamond ring how do I know that it isn’t a conflict diamond?
November 12th, 2009
Horizon asked:
The reason I ask is that I would hate to support the trade of such diamonds
The reason I ask is that I would hate to support the trade of such diamonds
You wouldn’t know, they lie. The diamond trade is bad and it is going to get worse. I went to Africa on trip..It was horrible at some of things they told me. I llove diamonds though
CanadaMark diamonds are apparently the only conflict-free diamonds certified by the Conflict Free Diamond Council.
most diamonds are conflict diamonds, i want to buy a diamond ring for a few months now but i have the same issue like you, so i am kind of torn between the beauty of diamonds and worrying if i buy diamond i will be supporting the conflict
Buy them from the National Park in Arkansas….keep the scandal money in the country.
I’d be more concerned they were trying to palm off cz.
EDIT: If you are that concerned, try buying old jewelry, crafted before the issue arose. It is very simple to remove the stones, and you will be recycling at the same time. It’s the market that drives the CSO….even buying Canadian feeds the market. The money may go elsewhere, but it is still a “new” diamond.
ok i did a research project on this.
don’t go to any jewelry store like kays or tiffanys.
go to a jeweler, real one they aren’t conflict diamonds and also blood diamonds are illegal and the US doesnt sell them.
If you go to a real jeweler you will get the best price and quality
your a good person! i would say to ask the dealer, but i learned that expensive diamonds are less likely to be conflict
Canadian diamonds are not conflict diamonds. They have an insignia engraved on them that you can only see with high magnification that sets them apart from the others.
I have made a decision to only buy cubic zirconia, Much cheaper and no one dies
Cubic zirconia are just as beautiful as real diamonds and no one will know the difference. If you are giving the diamond to someone, just let them know why you chose that kind of stone.
It is impossible to know for a consumer. If you buy through a normal (famous) jeweler, the chance to get a blood diamond is very, very small
In all honesty, you wouldn’t be able to find out 100%. What we do know in the trade and our perspective is this. Conflict diamonds were a significant issue in the mid to late 90’s. Since the late 90’s and early 21st century the issue was addressed to many major companies and countries that participate in the mining of rough diamonds. Since then the effort to work against conflict diamonds and to safeguard the integrity of the industry has resulted in the Kimberley Process adopted in 2003. The KP is a 3 step process to help minimize conflict diamonds in the trade. Please refer to wikipedia, or google searches in regards to the Kimberley Process. Although steps have been taken to address conflict diamonds there is really no 100% guarantee that every diamond found in modern markets is conflict free. In regards to using an old diamond, I doubt that is a guarantee since diamonds and all other precious commodities have been used for many years to fund propoganda campaigns, just because the stone is older doesn’t guarantee the fact that it was conflict free. But what I do have to say is this. Conflict diamonds represent only a very minor percentage of diamonds mined every year for the jewelry and industrial industries. What you need to logically think of is this. What are the chances of you purchasing one? In addition be aware that there have been countries and companies that have been cited, warned, or kicked out of doing business in the trade because they were unable to prove papers or sources for certain diamonds that were being sold. All in all there are many more good that comes from the diamond industry then bad. I also see that someone has told you to check out diamond facts.org. It is a shame on humanity that conflict diamonds do exist but by logically think through and weighing the facts and chances of your purchase actually being a conflict diamond, you’ll find that the chances are more that the diamond came from a legitimate source and provided a worker with an income to support his family and living. If you don’t mind spending possibly up to 30% or more for peace of mind then purchase a Canadian mined diamond. They advertise their diamonds as conflict free since there are no wars to speak of in Canada. I hope this helps settle your concerns and I also look forward to a day where no commodity or resource is used for propaganda or harm.