Various environmental, socioeconomic, and human rights issues are involved based on where and how a gemstone is mined. Many people are becoming more aware of these problems and are looking for conflict-free diamonds. Fortunately, there are a number of ethical, conflict-free diamond and engagement ring providers today.
Keep on reading this article, to know more about conflict-free diamonds.
Conflict-Free Diamonds: What Are They?
A conflict-free diamond is one that has been mined and transported without any ties to terrorist or rebel groups. The Kimberley Process, for example, is in place to ensure that diamonds are extracted and supplied in accordance with specified ethical criteria. Blood diamonds or conflict diamonds are diamonds that do not adhere to these standards.
Blood diamonds are quite often mined and illegally trafficked in war-torn places. During the Sierra Leone civil war in the 1990s, which was featured in the 2006 film Blood Diamond—showing how insurgent forces used ruthless methods to smuggle and sell diamonds—these jewels earned attention. Mines that are conflict-free can be safely mined. When you buy a conflict-free diamond, you can be assured that it was created in a way that does not cause any societal or environmental harm.
Choosing A Conflict-Free Diamond
When you purchase a conflict-free diamond, you are supporting ethical mining methods. Because conflict diamonds are prohibited to buy or export in many countries, including the United States, most jewelers only sell conflict-free diamonds. Some jewelers, on the other hand, go above and beyond to verify that a diamond is mined and supplied in an ethical manner.
Kimberly Process
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was developed in collaboration with the United Nations. The process established rules and laws to guarantee that diamonds are extracted and exported in a humane manner, and illegal activities are not aided. From mining and cutting through final purchase, participating countries, including the United States and more than 70 others, are now rigorously monitoring incoming diamonds.
What Are The Ethical Alternative To Blood Diamonds?
The popularity of lab-grown diamonds is increasing each day because of the fact that they are less expensive in addition to being conflict-free. They are made in a laboratory setting, which means no one is getting exploited.
People these days also prefer recycled diamonds to ensure that they are not buying blood diamonds. There is almost no social and environmental impact for recycled diamonds because they are recycled rather than newly extracted.