CONFLICT DIAMOND QUESTIONS

Questions and Answers About Conflict Diamonds

Q. Does Burdeen's Jewelry sell conflict diamonds? 

A. No. We would never, ever sell conflict diamonds. We believe ONE conflict diamond is ONE too many.

Diamonds are meant to be a symbol of love and we ABHOR how rebel groups used them to fund African conflicts. We welcome films and other media that shed light on this dark period in Africa’s history. It’s a story that needs to be told — if we are to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Q. What has the diamond and jewelry industry done to stop the trade in conflict diamonds? 

A. We’ve taken important steps as an industry to stop the trade of these illicit diamonds, through collaboration with governments and human rights groups in the creation of the Kimberley Process (KP), which now regulates 99% of the uncut diamond trade in 75 countries.

Each Kimberley country is legally bound to certify uncut diamonds as non-conflict, before exporting them in a tamper-resistant container, with a forgery-resistant certificate listing the contents. The diamond is checked again upon import to another KP country. No uncertified uncut diamonds are permitted to enter or leave any KP country, and the countries in the system only trade with each other. This system ensures that no conflict diamonds will ever be sold at our store.

We vigorously support the Kimberley Process by asking our suppliers for written warranties (under the KPCS approved industry ‘System of Warranties’), stating that their diamonds come from Kimberley-certified sources and are not involved in funding conflict.

Q. What additional measures have you taken to assure consumers that your business does not deal in conflict diamonds? 

A. We are required by our association, Jewelers of America, to sign a Code of Professional Practices each year that includes a commitment not to deal in the flow of conflict diamonds.

Jewelers of America is also a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), a worldwide group that has established ethical, social and environmental standards for the diamond and gold jewelry industry. RJC’s system plans to audit members for compliance with the Kimberley Process. 

Our company also belongs to RJC.