Conflict Diamonds (also known as Blood Diamonds) are diamonds illegally traded to fund conflict in war- torn areas.  The issue hit headlines in the mid 90's when it was revealed that billions of dollars worth of diamonds were being traded by war lords and rebels to fund arms in devastating wars in Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  According to Amnesty International, these wars are believed to have cost more than 3.7 million lives.

In 2000, a coalition of governments, non-government organisations, together with the diamond industry started working together to address the issue of diamonds being used to fund conflict in countries such as Angola, Liberia, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and the Republic of Congo.  At the time it was believed that "Conflict" diamonds represented 4% of the world's diamond production. 

A system known as the Kimberley Process Certification System was developed to eradicate the trade in "Conflict" diamonds.  In 2003 this system was formally adopted.  The Kimberley Process was designed to guard against these types of diamonds entering the legitimate diamond supply chain.  Today more than 99% of the world's diamonds are from conflict free sources and the diamond industry continues to work with governments, non government organisations and the United Nations to strengthen and continue both the Kimberley Process and The System of Warranties which is designed to assure consumers that their diamonds are from conflict free sources.

You can be confident when purchasing a diamond from Melbourne Diamond Importers.  We source only the highest quality diamonds certified conflict-free and secured from reputable sources.  Through initiatives such as the Kimberley Process and associated UN resolutions, which track diamonds from the mine to market, Melbourne Diamond Importers are able to guarantee that all diamonds have been purchased through legitimate sources.