Kimberly Process

The Kimberly Process certification scheme is the process established in 2003 to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the mainstream rough diamond market by United Nation General Assembly resolution. The process was set up to ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies to destabilize the legitimate governments. Requirements

1. Each shipment of rough diamonds crossing an international border should be-

• Transported in a tamper resistant container.
• Accompanied by a government validated Kimberly process certificate.

2. Each certificate must be resistant to forgery uniquely numbered and describe the shipment contents.

3. The shipments should only be exported to other KPCS (Kimberly Process Certification Scheme) participant countries.

The world diamond council created a system of warranties according to which all buyers and sellers of both rough and polished diamonds must make the following affirmative statements on all invoices. “The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchase from legitimate sources not involved in funding Conflict and in compliance with United Nations resolutions. The seller hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds”.