Ethical Trading
What exactly are Conflict Diamonds?
In 1998, Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) Global Witness brought to the world's attention that UNITA, a rebel group in Angola, was funding its war against the legitimate government by the control and sale of rough diamonds. These have since become known as conflict diamonds. We also know that rebel groups in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo were also funding conflicts in this way.
In 1998 , UN economic and political sanctions were announced on the Angolan rebels mining diamonds in central Angola. In May 2000, the South African government convened a meeting of interested parties in Kimberley (diamond mining areas) to look for a solution. The meeting which followed became known as The Kimberley Process.
How does the Kimberley Process work?
68 governments are participating in the Kimberley Proces Certification Scheme which provides that each shipment of rough diamonds being exported and crossing an international border must be sealed in a taper proof container, accompanied by a government validated Kimberley Process Certificate. The shipment can also only be sent to a country who is a Kimberley Process participant.
Jewellery by Lora Leedham uses recycled packaging and conflict free gemstones.
