kimberley process

The Kimberley Process is a joint government, international diamond industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds - rough diamonds that are used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones has contributed to devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an innovative, voluntary system that imposes extensive requirements on Participants to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process is composed of at least forty-three Participants countries, including New Zealand. Kimberley Process Participants account for approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds.

New Zealand has restricted rough diamond imports since January 12th 2005, in order to implement the Kimberley Process certificate scheme and reduce the trade conflict diamonds. Any rough diamonds without a Kimberley Process certificate will be seized at the border and their importer could face prosecution according to the New Zealand Customs Service. Imports of rough diamonds into New Zealand are very small.

diamonds.co.nz sources the vast majority of its diamonds from De Beers Diamond Trading Company Sightholders to ensure our diamonds have come through the correct channels.

For further information on the Kimberley Process please visit the World Diamond Council website.

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