FEATURES
April 2019 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk
The reality is that poorly
regulated - or in some cases
entirely unregulated - diamond
mines are destroying ecosystems
and
displacing
communities;
and despite its good intentions,
the Kimberley Process has not
been successful in eradicating the
circulation of conflict diamonds,
nor protecting workers. Diamonds
from conflict regions are often
smuggled into ‘certified’ exports,
meaning the process cannot
guarantee that a diamond is
conflict-free, or that the people
mining, cutting and polishing
diamonds are working in safe
conditions for a fair wage.
Even more telling: when those
intending on getting engaged were
asked about the most important
aspects of the ring, quality, price
and bespoke design came off
as the most important factors.
Less than 10% of respondents
‘‘
Buying from a
jeweller who
sources their
diamonds from a
Canadian mine,
such as the Ekati
and Diavik mines,
means you’re safe,
as they will be
able to produce
certificates to
show you exactly
where your
diamond came
from
‘‘
mining is having on our planet,
and the questions they must ask
jewellers in order to ensure they’re
buying a piece that’s sustainable
and conflict-free.
The Kimberley Process is a
certification process which (in
theory) ensures no blood diamonds
enter circulation. Established in
2003, the Kimberley Process aims
to prevent conflict diamonds from
entering the supply chain, by only
working with officially certified
mines; but according to a recent
YouGov survey carried out with
ethical jewellers Ingle & Rhode,
80% of respondents hadn’t even
heard of it.
This isn’t catastrophic - the
Kimberley Process is very outdated
and no longer fit for purpose -
but it does indicate a severe lack
of education and understanding
surrounding the diamond industry
and its environmental shortcomings.
mentioned ethical sourcing. This
comes despite the fact that 60% of
people said they consider ethical
sourcing when making other
purchases.
If, as stats suggest, 75% of
millennials are willing to pay extra
for environmentally sustainable
goods, and the number of
vegans the world over has more
than quadrupled in the last five
years, why aren’t we putting the
jewellery industry under scrutiny
for its unsustainable practices?
Millions of young people are
being spurred into action by the
impact meat production is having
on our planet, and the way in
which animals are mistreated in
the supply chain. Why aren’t we
enacting the same principles for
sustainability and welfare in our
jewellery purchases?
The diamond industry continues
to grow year-on-year, meaning
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