Conflict-Free Diamonds

What are conflict diamonds?

A conflict or “blood” diamond is a diamond mined in a war zone with the purpose of financing illegal military activity. This can include insurgency or invasion, and is most commonly associated with wars in Africa. Often workers are forced to mine for diamonds under the threat of violence. In the past, conflict diamonds have come from Angola, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia. This conflict diamond trade has played a major part in wars that have killed millions of people.

What are conflict free diamonds?

Conflict free diamonds are diamonds that have been mined and sold in an ethical way, mined by workers employed in fair conditions and without the threat of violence. Conflict free diamonds can be traced from their original source all the way to the end consumer. Their history is checked and certified, so that the consumer can satisfy themselves regarding the ethical credentials of the conflict free diamonds.

Conflict free diamonds at Ingle & Rhode

At Ingle & Rhode, we understand how important it is to offer conflict free diamonds. We only supply conflict free diamonds and the history of each stone can be traced back to origin. Our stunning white diamonds are mined in Canada, and we can also offer coloured ‘cultured’ diamonds from the U.S.

Our Ethical Jewellery is produced to the highest standards. Our customers can purchase any piece from our collections safe in the knowledge it has been responsibly produced.

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was approved by the UN in 2002. This system was designed to assure consumers that their diamonds were conflict free, and that their sale would not fund illegal wars or human rights abuses. This process has been only partially successful in reducing the number of conflict diamonds that reach the market, and is vulnerable to smuggling and administrative corruption. To assure themselves that their diamond is conflict free, a consumer must demand a much higher level of proof than a simple assurance that it was produced ‘in accordance with the Kimberley Process.’