A diamond is one of life's most romantic treasures -- and no woman wants to think that the sparkling beauty on her hand was obtained through cruelty, inhumanity and destruction. That is the legacy of "conflict" or "blood" diamonds, terms that have gained considerable attention over the past several years.

What it refers to are diamonds that are illegally obtained and sold to fund wars, particularly in Sierra Leone, Angola and Liberia.

Members of the fine jewelry industry have long deplored these activities, but finding the solution was daunting. To stop all trading in diamonds would not only deprive the public of a great source of pleasure, but it would permanently halt the imcome of about 10 million people. Further, it would put even greater economic pressures on the poorest African countries, many of whose major incomes are derived from diamond mining.( An estimated five million people in southern Africa now have access to appropriate healthcare because of revenues from diamonds. )

The means to end the problem of conflict diamonds began several years ago. In 2002, a coalition of governments, non-governmental organizations and the diamond industry worked together to establish the Kimberley Process Certification System. This UN-backed program, which controls the sourcing and shipping of diamonds has virtually eliminated the trade in conflict diamonds. Today, it is estimated that over 99% of the world's supply of diamonds come from sources free of conflict.

In addition, the recently amended USA Patriot Act requires strict cash reporting and "know your customer" guidelines that will further protect buyers and sellers of diamond jewelry.

If you have any questions about this issue, please feel free to discuss them with our informed sales associates or ask for our printed handout. For those wishing additional information about conflict diamonds and the jewelry industry's response, consult the new website created by the World Diamond Council, www.diamondfacts.org.

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