The Kimberly Process for Verification of Origin

When you buy a diamond from Padis Jewelry, you can be confident that it is a conflict free diamond.  Our carefully selected suppliers regulate strict labor and environmental standards and are able to demonstrate a complete chain of custody for their diamonds.  

As we mentioned in an additional post, conflict diamonds have been responsible for funding wars and hostile conflicts in countries throughout Africa.  To solve this problem, governments, organizations and the diamond industry met in 2000 to find a way “to stop the trade in conflict diamonds and ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments.” 

What evolved from these meetings was the formation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which was first implemented in 2003.  The KPCS is a set of requirements designed to control rough diamond production and trade, and to eradicate conflict diamonds from the world’s diamond supply.   

While some problems remain with KPCS, the intent of the agreement is to impose rules that members must follow in order to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict free’ and keep conflict diamonds from entering the marketplace.  Each member state must put in place national legislation and internal controls that regulates exports and imports.  In addition participants must commit to rules regarding transparency and the exchange of statistical data.  Another component to the agreement is that members may only legally trade with other members in good standing.  Most importantly all international shipments of “rough diamonds must be accompanied by a KP certificate guaranteeing that they are conflict-free.” 

The diamond industry states that today 99% of diamonds are KP certified and come from a conflict free source.   Visit the Padis Jewelry website to learn more about our beautiful and rare collection of certified diamonds that have all been responsibly sourced.

Padis Jewelry, a family-owned business, has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  For an opportunity to view one of San Francisco’s most impressive collections, please contact us to schedule at visit.

Source:  kimberleyprocess.com/en/about