Conflict Free Diamonds

What are Conflict Diamonds?

Conflict diamonds are diamonds illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa. These diamonds are sometimes referred to as "blood diamonds." Conflict diamonds captured the world's attention during the extremely brutal conflict in Sierra Leone in the late 1990s. During this time, it is estimated that conflict diamonds represented approximately 4% of the world's diamond production. Illicit rough diamonds have also been used by rebels to fund conflicts in Angola, Liberia, Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today, the only current case of rebel forces controlling diamond production is in Ivory Coast and the flow of conflict diamonds is believed to have been reduced to a fraction of 1%.

What is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a joint governments, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as 'conflict-free'. Since December 2009, the KP has 49 members, representing 75 countries, with the European Community and its Member States counting as an individual participant.

Our Policy on Conflict Free Diamonds

Thomas Belfast only sells diamonds, which have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations resolutions. This includes jewellery made ourselves and also our brands and designers and we guarantee that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds.