Conflict Diamonds and Ethical Diamond Sourcing

What are conflict diamonds?

Conflict diamonds, sometimes referred to as blood diamonds, are rough diamonds that have been used to finance armed conflict or insurgent groups opposing recognised governments.

Public awareness of conflict diamonds increased significantly in the late 1990s, when investigations revealed that diamond sales were being used to fund violence and instability in certain regions.

As a result, international efforts were introduced to regulate the diamond trade and prevent these diamonds from entering the legitimate market.

What are ethically sourced diamonds?

Ethically sourced diamonds go beyond simply being conflict free.

These diamonds are obtained through supply chains that aim to ensure responsible practices, including safe working conditions, fair wages and respect for human rights.

Responsible sourcing helps ensure that diamonds are mined, processed and distributed without exploitation or harmful labour practices.

The Kimberley Process

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was introduced in 2003 as an international initiative designed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the global diamond market.

The scheme regulates the trade of rough diamonds by requiring participating countries to certify shipments of rough diamonds as conflict free.

Today, the Kimberley Process includes 56 participants representing 82 countries, with the European Union participating as a single entity. All major diamond-producing countries are part of the agreement.

Members of the Kimberley Process must meet strict requirements and may only trade rough diamonds with other participating members who also comply with the rules of the scheme.

While the Kimberley Process does not certify individual jewellery retailers, it provides an important framework that helps ensure the legitimacy of the global diamond trade.

Our commitment to responsible diamond sourcing

At Lorel Diamonds, we are committed to sourcing diamonds responsibly.

All diamonds used in our jewellery are sourced from suppliers that follow the principles of the Kimberley Process, ensuring they are not connected to conflict funding.

In addition, we work with trusted suppliers that adhere to strict ethical sourcing standards across the diamond supply chain. This helps ensure that the diamonds we offer have been obtained responsibly and transparently.

Ethical and sustainable precious metals

Responsible sourcing also extends to the precious metals used in jewellery.

Mining precious metals can have environmental impacts if not managed carefully. Substances such as cyanide and mercury, sometimes used in mining processes, can cause pollution if released into surrounding ecosystems.

To reduce environmental impact and support more sustainable practices, Lorel Diamonds uses 100% refined (recycled) precious metals in our jewellery.

Recycling precious metals helps reduce the need for new mining while preserving natural resources. Importantly, recycled metals retain the same physical and chemical properties as newly mined metals, meaning they perform and appear exactly the same in fine jewellery.