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Emily Hirst
2nd July 2007 14:15

Ethical Stones and Conflict Diamonds

 

Hello all.

Emily here, our resident little eco-warrior! Recently, in the short breaks when I've not been moaning at Jodie for spending too much money on shoes and not taking her canvas bags to Sainsburys, I’ve been updating some of our staff info on conflict diamonds and ethical stones and thought this was as important a subject as any to have a quick chat to you about. I usually say that this is a subject very close to my heart but it should be a subject close to all our hearts, we are all human after all and it's important now more than ever to be looking after each other.

A diamond merchant shows his wares June 15, 2001 in Kenema, Sierra Leone. Photograph © Chris Hondros/Getty Images, taken from amnestyusa.orgI knew Harriet and the rest of our team were all very passionate about using ethical stones and conflict free diamonds when I first joined the company, and I have since been lucky enough to get really involved in this side of the procedures. We've all worked together to ensure that we are not only completely conflict diamond free but that we are also doing all we can to tackle this subject. We source all our stones ourselves so, unlike a lot of jewellers, we can be sure of the providence of our stones and can completely guarantee to you that we know where they have come from and we know that they are conflict free. The Kimberley Process which the UK, and many other countries across the world, adhere to covers 99.8% of the world's diamond trade which means that it is highly unlikely any conflict diamonds are circulating in the diamond trade but it is important for you to be sure that the stone you are buying is ethical.

If you do decide to purchase a diamond elsewhere then it's important to ask them for a guarantee that their diamonds are conflict free, we personally are so dedicated to conflict free diamonds that we ask for a written guarantee from any of our customers who wish to use diamonds which are not sourced by us, that way we can be sure we're working with an ethical diamond. There is a really good and comprehensive section on our procedures on conflict diamonds and also a bit about the situation itself on our website here. So do please go and have a read through and remember you can always email us if you have any questions at all. Also there is some very in depth information available at www.globalwitness.org and www.amnesty.org.

Most importantly of all though I have had lots of enquiries recently from people who are now adamant they do not want to purchase a diamond in case it is in anyway connected to a conflict, but please do not let yourself be put off buying diamonds. The majority of the conflicts and situations involved are being effectively tackled and these communities are now at the stage where they can start rebuilding their lives. The diamond and mineral trade is a very important source of income, sometimes the only source of income, for these communities and, as we can guarantee to you that our stones are completely conflict free, you should be able to be excited about buying a diamond. Here are a couple of beautiful rings we’ve got here in Cambridge that I’ve got my eye on (and which I am conveniently polishing at various points during my day!):

Platinum solitaire engagement ring with 0.22cts diamond. Contemporary platinum emerald cut 0.63cts solitaire engagement ring.

So keep buying these beautiful stones, you’re not only getting a lovely bit of sparkle but you might be helping somebody too.

Emily Hirst
 

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  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Weston, Hertfordshire, SG4 7DP, England
    Phone: +44 (0)1462 790565 Fax: +44 (0)1462 790140 enquiries@hkjewellery.co.uk
  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU, England.
    Phone: +44 (0)1223 461333 Fax: +44 (0)1223 365269 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk

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