dovidchaim
Rough_Rock
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- Sep 14, 2009
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questions about the Kimberly Process paper
- Thread starter dovidchaim
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- Sep 2, 2002
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If you are a consumer looking to buy a polished diamond, you do not need to worry about the KP-certificate.
If you are in the trade, or considering to buy rough diamonds, the fact that you do not know how the KP-system works, should be a red flag. If you do not know these basics, stay away from whatever you are thinking about.
Live long,
If you are in the trade, or considering to buy rough diamonds, the fact that you do not know how the KP-system works, should be a red flag. If you do not know these basics, stay away from whatever you are thinking about.
Live long,
Just to chime in but I think dovidchaim may be asking if there is a way for a consumer to verify if a diamond is in fact conflict free.
I can see this being just as important to some as whether the diamond is a certain colour or if a Canadian diamond is truly from Canada and I believe there are forms of paper validation for both of those. I''m a bit curious of this too about this. Is there a way for a consumer to get proof that a diamond is actually conflict free?
I can see this being just as important to some as whether the diamond is a certain colour or if a Canadian diamond is truly from Canada and I believe there are forms of paper validation for both of those. I''m a bit curious of this too about this. Is there a way for a consumer to get proof that a diamond is actually conflict free?
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- Jul 21, 2004
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- 9,159
The Kimberley Process is a set of regulations that has to do with the trade in uncut diamonds. It doesn’t directly apply to finished goods but each diamond sold within a KP signatory country (which includes nearly everywhere) a sale of either a rough or finished diamond is supposed to contain the following statement or words to this effect:
"The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The undersigned hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds."
They don’t always have it in an obvious way and that’s pretty weak as guarantees go but it starts to develop some teeth when it crosses international borders. Whoever imported the stone had to sign the above statement as part of the customs clearing process and lying is subject to some serious penalties including confiscation and jail time at both the exporting and importing country. Zero diamonds are produced in the US so someone passed it through customs and few jewelers are interested in risking time in an African or Russian prison over a few percent of savings so they tend to toe the line pretty well.
As a consumer buying stones from a US vendor, you’re really pretty safe. The bad guys have a hard time sneaking things into your channel. If you’re shopping in a back alley in Angola you may have a more difficult time. ‘Hey buddy, wanna buy a diamond?”
By all means ask your jeweler about it and tell them that you’re concerned about the welfare of workers in producing countries. Listen carefully to their answer and if they’re unwilling to sign the above statement, move on to another who will.
Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
"The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The undersigned hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds."
They don’t always have it in an obvious way and that’s pretty weak as guarantees go but it starts to develop some teeth when it crosses international borders. Whoever imported the stone had to sign the above statement as part of the customs clearing process and lying is subject to some serious penalties including confiscation and jail time at both the exporting and importing country. Zero diamonds are produced in the US so someone passed it through customs and few jewelers are interested in risking time in an African or Russian prison over a few percent of savings so they tend to toe the line pretty well.
As a consumer buying stones from a US vendor, you’re really pretty safe. The bad guys have a hard time sneaking things into your channel. If you’re shopping in a back alley in Angola you may have a more difficult time. ‘Hey buddy, wanna buy a diamond?”
By all means ask your jeweler about it and tell them that you’re concerned about the welfare of workers in producing countries. Listen carefully to their answer and if they’re unwilling to sign the above statement, move on to another who will.
Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2009
- Messages
- 1,299
The Kimberley Process is designed to restrict the transport of uncut, diamond rough over international borders in hopes of reducing the effects of diamond smuggling. I think of it a lot like gun laws, it is designed to restrict criminal activity, but largely affects only those law abiding people who wouldn''t participate in illegal activity to begin with.
I think you''ll find that the majority of legitimate diamond dealers are as concerned about not buying / trading in conflict diamonds as most consumers are concerned about not buying them. One of the best steps you can take to avoid buying a conflict diamond is to conduct your business with a dealer operating in a legitimate manner and not buying from somebody operating in a kind of cloak and dagger manner. Those of us operating legitimate jewelry business fall under some pretty ''interesting'' government controls that make it practically impossible to deal in conflict gems, which is not to say that it doesn''t happen - but that those entities are bound to be caught and any short term benefit in terms of cost will be paid for in the form of a prison sentence or severe fines well beyond the small profits made.
I think you''ll find that the majority of legitimate diamond dealers are as concerned about not buying / trading in conflict diamonds as most consumers are concerned about not buying them. One of the best steps you can take to avoid buying a conflict diamond is to conduct your business with a dealer operating in a legitimate manner and not buying from somebody operating in a kind of cloak and dagger manner. Those of us operating legitimate jewelry business fall under some pretty ''interesting'' government controls that make it practically impossible to deal in conflict gems, which is not to say that it doesn''t happen - but that those entities are bound to be caught and any short term benefit in terms of cost will be paid for in the form of a prison sentence or severe fines well beyond the small profits made.
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