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Conflict Free Diamonds

Diamond shape makes the biggest impact on the look of your engagement ring. Many shape names, such as round, pear, and oval, describe the stone's profile when viewed from above.

What is a Conflict Diamond

In diamond trading, a conflict diamond (also called a blood diamond or a war diamond) refers to a diamond mined in a war zone and sold, usually clandestinely, in order to finance an insurgency or invading army's war efforts, or to support a warlord's activity in Angola and other African countries.

Our Role at Since1910.com

We at Since1910.com are proud that we strictly monitor the source of our diamonds.  Our diamond purchases are strictly from manufacturers and distributors who have stringent written policies in place that guarantee their diamonds are conflict free.  Our customers can be ensured that the revenue from a diamond they purchase from Since1910.com goes only to benefit those from where it is mined and in no way contributes to the harm or hardship of any individual or country.

What Has Been Done to Eliminate Conflict Diamonds?

In 1998, the United Nations placed Angola under sanctions forbidding countries from buying diamonds from them.  This was the first resolution of the UN which specifically mentioned diamonds in the context of funding a war.  Reports estimated that as much as 20% of total production in the 1990s were being sold for illegal purposes, and 15% were specifically conflict in nature.  By 1999, the illegal diamond trade was estimated by the World Diamond Council to have been reduced to 3.06% of the world's diamond production. 

In 2000, a coalition of governments, non-governmental organizations, and the diamond industry worked together to address this issue. In 2002, the Kimberley Process Certification System was established.  This is a UN-backed process that has virtually eliminated the trade in conflict diamonds.  Today over 99% of the world's supply of diamonds is from sources free of conflict.

Benefits of Diamonds
to African Nations

Most people are unaware of the role diamonds play in bringing real benefits to people in the countries where diamonds are sourced.  Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa where this same resource had been used to fund conflict.  Diamonds are now driving economic growth and prosperity in many parts of the world -- especially in Africa.

  • An estimated 5 million people have access to appropriate healthcare globally thanks to revenues from diamonds.
  • Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13.
  • An estimated 10 million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry.
  • The charity Jewelers for Children funds a community based care program for orphaned children in South Africa.
  • The diamond mining industry generates over 40% of Namibia's annual export earnings.
  • Approximately $8.5 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries.
  • The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
  • An estimated 65% of the world's diamonds come from African countries.