The kimberley process is a global diamond certification scheme developed by governments, civil society organizations and the international diamond industry to prevent the trade in ‘conflict diamonds’.
Conflict diamonds (commonly referred to as blood diamonds) are used to fund violence in war-torn countries. Often mined using slave labor and subjected to hazardous working conditions, conflict diamonds contribute significantly to financing violence in these regions.
The Kimberley Process
The Kimberley Process (KP) is an international initiative whose primary goal is to regulate the raw diamond trade. It began in May 2000 when Southern African nations met in Kimberley, South Africa to discuss ways of ending ‘conflict diamond’ trade that finances civil conflicts and undermines legitimate governments.
The KP was developed by representatives of diamond-producing states, the international diamond industry and civil society organizations. It consists of a global certification scheme that sets standards for controlling rough diamond production and trade.
In order to be eligible, countries must accept and adhere to the principles of KPCS and implement its requirements. They also pledge their commitment to transparency and sharing statistical data.
Participants in the diamond industry must certify the origin of their stones with a ‘Kimberley Certificate.’ This document allows authorities and market actors to trace a stone’s journey from mine to retailer.
The Kimberley Process was established to prevent conflict diamonds from entering global markets, yet flaws in the system mean diamonds associated with human rights abuses still circulate. Furthermore, the Kimberley Process fails to effectively address larger problems like poor working conditions and child labor exploitation.
What is a Kimberley Diamond?
If you’re searching for the ideal diamond to symbolize your love, a Flawless Kimberley diamond is your ideal option. These gemstones are among the most sought-after in the world and come in an array of colors – from champagne to pink.
The Kimberley Process is a multilateral trade regime designed to stop the flow of conflict man made diamonds – gemstones used in funding wars against governments around the world. This goal is achieved through collaboration between governments, civil society organizations and the international diamond industry.
It also comprises the World Diamond Council and an informal network of observers from within and outside of the diamond industry. These individuals are charged with monitoring KP participants’ compliance, monitoring working groups and committees, as well as reporting progress at its annual plenary meeting.
Even with the Kimberley Process, it is still essential for you to guarantee the diamond you purchase comes from an ethical supplier. The only way to guarantee this is by purchasing rough diamonds from ethical sources like The Raw Stone.
Kimberley Certification
The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme established to halt the trade in so-called ‘blood diamonds’ and safeguard legitimate rough diamond sales. Established in 2003, it now boasts 49 participants (48 individual states plus 27 European Union members) as well as various nongovernmental organizations as observers.
A Kimberley Certificate is a legal document that must accompany every loose rough diamond shipment crossing international borders. It’s issued before the raw diamond parcel is exported and does not apply to diamonds that have been set or mounted in jewelry of any kind.
GIA enthusiastically endorses and upholds the Kimberley Process and its principles.
However, the Kimberley process often fails to address broader concerns surrounding worker exploitation – such as unhealthy working conditions, child labor and cruel labor policies – which are often behind human rights violations and conflict diamonds. For example, when Global Witness called for action regarding Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe, the Kimberley process did not take a position.
Kimberley Observers
The Kimberley Process (KP) is a tripartite body charged with monitoring the diamond industry to prevent diamonds from funding conflict and human rights abuses. While it has been an effective initiative that has made progress over time, further strengthening is still necessary.
The Kimberley Process has many components, but one of the most essential is its Observers program. This involves on-site inspections of participating countries by teams of experts at regular intervals to confirm that KPCS (Kimberley Process Certification Scheme) regulations are being adhered to and enforced.
Conclusio n
The kimberley process is not without its shortcomings, such as lack of independent monitoring to ensure compliance with KP standards and a tendency for decisions to be made through consensus rather than voting. That is why Global Witness, a British-based nonprofit which provides whistle-blowing analysis and campaigns against natural resource conflict and corruption, has decided not to participate in the kimberley process any longer as an official urdughr observer.
