Ethics in the 21st Century Diamond Jewelry Industry (II/III): The Kimberley process and beyond

This is the second of a three part articles series on ethical issues related to the jewelery industry. Part 1 examined the global context and problems, ethical as well as ecological, related to the mining of precious stones. This present part examines the controversial Kimberley Process, and part 3 will present a more close up of the problems encountered in specific areas as well as point out what high street consumer can do to bring about change. The author has recently co-founded a diamond jewelry business in Japan. One problem he is facing is what to do about the ethical issues involved. By: Michael Werneburg, @mwerneburg, founder of Caritas. Following a call from the United Nations for action, ten years ago, in May 2000, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was proposed, and the diamond industry responded to the threat of sanctions and boycotts by forming the World Diamond Council to find an industry-based solution. More…

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