You may have heard of the term “blood diamond” or “conflict diamond”. This term coined in the late 1990s refers to diamonds that are mined in war zones and traded illegally. The areas most affected by the trade of blood diamonds are in Central and Western Africa. Nowadays, most people know to avoid blood diamonds by searching for conflict-free, ethical diamonds, like those we use at Ecksand. Keep scrolling to learn why you should choose a conflict-free diamond for a better world.
An ethically sourced diamond is one that doesn’t violate human rights. That means their revenues do not fund any acts of terror or civil war. Conflict-free diamonds come from ethical mines that enforce labour and environmental standards. They also help to support their local economies. In 2003, The Kimberley Process was initiated by the United Nations National Assembly to regulate the trade and sale of illegal diamonds worldwide.
All Ecksand’s diamonds and precious gems are ethically-sourced from conflict-free mines located in Canada, Botswana, or Australia. Ecksand bypasses middlemen by purchasing the gemstones directly from the mines themselves. This also allows us to control the quality and origin of each and every Ecksand diamond.
Canada is the world’s third-largest supplier of diamonds, behind Botswana and Russia. In Canada, stringent labour and environmental standards are enforced in all diamond mining operations. The diamond mining industry is incredibly profitable for the Canadian economy and creates jobs in places like Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, and Quebec.
About 65% of the world’s diamonds come from African countries, not all of which are blood diamonds. When shopping for a diamond from Africa, it is important to know which country the gemstone originated from. Try to avoid countries like Zimbabwe and Angola; they been cited by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for human rights violations. Instead, look at diamonds from countries like Botswana and Namibia; these countries are known for enforcing strict labour and environmental standards.
Income from ethical diamond mines often goes back into the community from where they were mined. Community development initiates like building schools and hospitals is common. And when one community proposers, it can lead to development and growth in neighbouring areas. Bottom line: you should know where your diamond comes from and feel good about your choice. Ethical mines are just that, ethical. They put the people and planet first, just like us.
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