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Ingle & Rhode track the Kimberly Process in crisis

Ingle & Rhode, the UKs principal retailer of ethical jewellery produced using conflict-free diamonds and fair trade gold, wish to draw your attention to the potential plight of the Kimberly Process.

Established in 2003, the Kimberley Process it is a joint initiative by governments, industry and civil society to prevent trade in conflict or 'blood' diamonds i.e. rough diamonds used by rebels factions to finance wars against legitimate governments. Trade in these illicit jewels has fuelled decades of devastating conflict in Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone.

The Kimberley Process has been criticised for its failure to deal decisively with several important matters, such as Venezuela's flagrant non-compliance and the Zimbabwean authorities' gross brutality in certain mining areas. As a result Ian Smillie, a founding member of the process has recently stepped down; weary with the ineffectiveness and inaction on such issues.

Smillie is quoted, "I feel that I can no longer in good faith contribute to the pretence that failure is success, or to the kind of debates we have been reduced to."

This clearly suggests that the Kimberly Process is not working. Until the process is improved or replaced and the trade in illicit jewels is stopped, buying jewellery made from ethically sourced materials is the only way to ensure you’re not supporting the trade in 'blood' diamonds.

"Ethical sourcing isn't just at the heart of our business at Ingle & Rhode, it's important that regulation exists to protect those living and working in gem and precious metal regions around the world," says David Rhode of Ingle & Rhode. "A beautiful diamond should never come at a terrible cost to life, which is why we're so passionate about our non-conflict jewellery - it gives people a conscientious choice."