We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards Conflict or Blood Diamonds—which are rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones has fueled decades of devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone.
In order to stem the flow of Conflict and Blood Diamonds, the United Nations has adopted a resolution in support of the Kimberley Process (KP) which is now a joint initiative between many international administrative bodies, national governments (including the United States), worldwide industry and civil society.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’. As of December 2009, the KP has 49 members, representing 75 countries, with the European Community and its Member States counting as an individual participant. Kimberley Process members account for approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds. The legal duties imposed by the United States Congress in 2003, requires all US diamond retailers to purchase diamonds from manufacturers who have documentation certifying that the merchandise was obtained through legitimate channels.
At Leonardo Jewelers, we only purchase diamonds through suppliers who, like us, proudly adhere to and enforce the standards established by the Kimberley Process. If one of our suppliers was unable to produce documentation certifying compliance with the Kimberley Process, we would immediately cease doing business with that supplier.
For further information, please read the US State Department Notice on the passage of this law or go to www.kimberleyprocess.com.
