The Kimberley Process

The World Diamond Council has worked successfully with the United Nations, governments, and groups such as Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada to introduce a system for the certification of the source of uncut diamonds to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds. This system, known as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), was formally adopted in November 2002, and came into operation on January 1, 2003. Andrew Coxon, President of the De Beers Institute of Diamonds, is a founding member of the World Diamond Council and spearheaded this initiative on behalf of the diamond industry.

Today, as a result of the Kimberly Process’s success, 99.8% of the world’s diamond supply is conflict free.

The Kimberly process requires participating governments to ensure that each shipment of rough diamonds exported be in a secure container and accompanied by a uniquely numbered, government-validated certificate stating that the diamonds are conflict-free. As of November 2008 there were 49 members, representing 75 nations with significant involvement in the diamond trade. All participating nations agree not to accept any rough diamonds without an approved Kimberley Process Certificate.

At De Beers Diamond Jewellers, all of our diamonds are accompanied by a De Beers Diamond Passport, which clearly states our stringent conflict diamond policy and confirms that every single piece of De Beers jewelry is ethically produced and 100% conflict-free.