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Diamonds represent the brilliance of love in all its forms. Their beauty and uniqueness make them the perfect choice to mark life's most cherished moments. At Eternate, we believe everyone deserves this beauty, but it shouldn’t come at a cost. Unfortunately, the history of diamonds hasn't always been sparkly. Conflicts driven by the diamond trade have caused immense hardships and suffering in certain regions. This dark period, known as the "blood diamond" era, reminds us why ethical sourcing is so important. To create a positive change in the industry, we strive to ensure every one of our diamonds tells a story of joy, not hardship and suffering.
Blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds, is a term used to describe diamonds mined in areas under the control of rebel groups or warring factions. These diamonds are then sold to fund violence, terrorism or the dirty activities of warlords. The unethical mining practices and historical conflicts conspicuously reveal the ongoing human rights abuses and social issues associated with the trade of blood diamonds.
The human cost of blood diamonds is nothing short of devastating. The term "blood diamond" serves as a strong reminder of the human suffering behind diamond trade and it came about to raise awareness of the dark side of this trade in some parts of the world. It highlights the destructive impact these conflicts have on communities, often involving forced labor, human rights abuses and the displacement of innocent people.
Diamonds mined during civil wars in Angola, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in the 20th and 21st centuries are prime examples of blood diamonds. The world became aware of the harmful impact of diamonds in conflicts, particularly through wars fought in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. However, these weren't the only incidents, similar issues arose in other countries as well. Despite the end of many of these conflicts, the stain of conflict diamonds hasn't faded, and violence persists in parts of the diamond industry.
For decades, Angola1 was ravaged by civil war. A rebel group, UNITA, used profits from blood diamonds to fund their fight against the government. These diamonds fueled the purchase of weapons, which eventually caused the war to drag on for far longer. The human cost was immense. Millions were displaced, countless lives were lost, and the country's infrastructure was left in ruins.
Angola has emerged as a major player in the global diamond market2 with huge export figures. However, a shadow remains from the nation's past. While the brutal civil war fueled by diamonds ended some time ago, violence persists to be a serious concern in certain parts of the country. Trafficking of conflict diamonds still continues via shadowy and illegal ways not in Angola alone but in certain parts of the world, although hopefully at a much smaller scale compared to before.
The horrific use of diamonds to fund war in Sierra Leone3 sparked international outrage and exposed the urgent need for a more transparent and responsible diamond trade. The Revolutionary United Front (RUF)4 terrorized Sierra Leone during their brutal civil war. They gained control of diamond mines, enslaved and forced many locals to work in mines, and used the profits to buy weapons and fund their terrorist activities. The violence was horrific. International pressure and intervention eventually helped end the conflict, but the scars remain deep for Sierra Leone.
Data by Statistic Brain suggests that Sierra Leone was once the world's second-largest producer of conflict diamonds, accounting for around 1% of the global production in 20165, with Angola holding the top spot at 2.1%. Although that overall number seems relatively small, an estimated 15% of Sierra Leone's diamonds were classified as conflict diamonds at that time. This statistic reveals that the concerning issue of Sierra Leone blood diamonds is most likely to persist in that area.
Ivory Coast was also among those which suffered from the harsh consequences of civil wars resulting in violence and exploitation of natural diamond sources. To combat the illegal diamond trade, Ivory Coast halted all diamond mining in 2005. This ban remained in place for a decade until the UN council voted to lift the sanctions. Then, the Kimberley Process6, an international initiative aimed at preventing the flow of conflict diamonds, acknowledged that Ivory Coast had resumed responsible, small-scale diamond production. However, some rough diamonds still continue to be smuggled out of Ivory Coast to neighboring countries and international markets later on.
The Central African Republic (CAR), too, has endured decades of violence and instability7 due to coups. Like other areas mentioned before, these political instabilities led the rebel groups to take control over diamond mines and cause violence and terror. Rebels still remain in control of many northern and eastern areas. CAR witnesses constant clashes between rival militias competing for the country's rich diamond resources. The Kimberley Process has banned exports from the region. However, this hasn't stopped smugglers. They trade conflict diamonds through neighboring countries and sell them internationally by falsely acquitting the origin of the diamonds.
Botswana and Canada have become leaders in providing conflict-free diamonds by prioritizing ethical practices and responsible resource management above all. Their success is rooted in their commitment to responsible diamond management practices, which are further reinforced by their participation in the Kimberley Process. By sticking to these standards, these two countries ensure their diamonds are sourced ethically while also contributing to the socio-economic development of their respective regions.
Botswana, the world’s largest diamond producer8, gained independence just as a massive diamond deposit was discovered in Orapa9, in 1967. This fortunate timing allowed the government to take the diamond resources under control and use the profit for national benefit. This prevented rebel groups from exploiting diamonds, which was a major problem of countries in conflict. These gems have fueled the nation's remarkable growth10 since then, funding essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals. This commitment to responsible diamond management also aligns with the principles of the Kimberley Process, which contributes to Botswana's success in providing conflict-free diamonds.
Canada has a long history of diamond mining, and the government has established strict regulations to ensure responsible and conflict-free practices11 all along the line. These regulations mainly focus on worker safety and environmental protection. For instance, mining companies are required to conduct thorough environmental impact studies before starting mining procedures. Many mines even go a step further by employing people from nearby communities to make sure that the benefits of diamond mining are shared locally as well. This makes Canadian diamonds stand out as a great option when responsible and ethical sourcing is concerned.
When news reports about violence and terror in some diamond-producing countries started ringing alarm bells around the world, people began to question where their diamonds came from, and a strong movement arose calling for stricter international regulations for the diamond trade.
In 2003, the United States took a big step towards ethical diamonds with the Clean Diamond Trade Act. This law basically said that rough diamonds (natural, uncut and unpolished state of diamonds) couldn't be imported or exported unless they had a special certificate proving they were conflict-free. This certificate is issued by the Kimberley Process.
The Kimberley Process (KP) is an international initiative that works to keep the diamond trade conflict-free. It acts as a global certification system specifically for rough diamonds. By setting standards and guidelines, the KP aims to prevent conflict diamonds from being traded and entering the market.
The KP unites 85 countries through 59 participants, with the European Union (EU) and its 27 members counting as a single participant. The KP relies on the cooperation of its member countries, who share the responsibility of meeting the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) standards. KPCS is the backbone of this global initiative. It outlines a set of clear rules that participating countries, industry experts and civil society organizations all agree to follow. These rules ensure that rough diamonds are tracked and documented throughout their journey, from mine to market.
As Eternate, we believe beauty is more than mere aesthetics. Every piece tells a story, and the stories we tell are the ones we can be proud of. That's why we source all our diamonds, gemstones and even the metals we use, responsibly and conflict-free. Ethical sourcing for us means we can be confident that every piece you wear reflects our commitment to creating a positive change in the jewelry industry.
We acknowledge the diamond industry's ongoing impact on people and the environment. Therefore, we're committed to leading the way towards a more ethical and conflict-free future for diamonds. We source our diamonds exclusively from Kimberley Process-certified countries, like Botswana, Australia and Canada, ensuring they are conflict-free and meet the highest ethical and transparency standards we have. We fully embrace the Kimberley Process and its mission for a more responsible diamond industry and do our best to ensure that your sparkle comes with no hidden burden.
Diamonds mined in regions controlled by rebel groups or warring factions are called "blood diamonds." These areas often suffered from conflict and violence these groups caused. The term "blood diamond" highlights the human cost associated with the diamond trade in these places. Its strong connotation serves to raise public awareness about this serious issue and bring to light the suffering that can be linked to conflict diamonds.
Owning a blood diamond wouldn't be illegal for you, but their trade is heavily restricted. International regulations and agreements like the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) aim to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the market and being sold. This means most jewelers are allowed to only sell certified diamonds as they're considered ethically sourced.
Conflict diamonds don't actually have a legitimate purpose. Their existence stems from a desire to fund violence and instability. They are traded because some rebel groups use the profit gained from these diamonds to finance their activities through buying weapons or funding soldiers.
Thanks to international efforts, the large-scale trade of conflict diamonds has significantly decreased. Yet, the issue isn’t entirely over. Identifying countries pursuing blood diamond trade is quite complex as rebel groups or rogue factions can operate across borders by smuggling the conflict diamonds illegally. Fortunately, the Kimberley Process aims to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream market with most major diamond producers and trading countries participating.
There are 85 countries participating in the Kimberley Process. 59 of them are individual participants representing those 85 countries. This is because the European Union (EU) functions as a single participant within the Kimberley Process.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international system set up to prevent conflict diamonds from being traded and sold on the open market. The KPCS was established in 2003 and involves countries, diamond industry representatives and civil society organizations working together for this common goal.