Conflict Diamonds
What are they?

Diamonds are mined in parts of Africa, Canada, Russia and Australia. Conflict diamonds, also referred to as ‘blood diamonds’ or ‘war diamonds’, are diamonds that originate from areas in Africa such as Sierra Leone and Angola which are controlled by forces or factions, and also corrupt governments, responsible for fuelling conflict and wars. Small scale diamond mining was exploited and these diamonds were often used to fund military action by the forces, action that has resulted in the loss of an estimated 3.7 million lives in Sierra Leone, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Whilst most of these conflicts have now been somewhat resolved, the problem of conflict diamonds still exists and Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design together with others in the industry have a duty to the millions who have suffered to make sure these diamonds do not infiltrate the diamond industry.

Although this topic has attracted media coverage lately, it is something HKJD has always been passionate about and tried as hard as possible to ensure no conflict diamonds have ever found their way into our jewellery.

Conflict diamonds overview >
What are conflict diamonds? >
What is the Kimberley Process? >
Our position on conflict diamonds >
Customers sourcing their own stones >
The film "Blood Diamonds" >
The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices >