The Ember ethical policies are as follows:
Gem stones
The goods we stock are generally all “A” quality material, clean stones with good colour and cut. However, many gemstones come in various qualities and colours, most of which are also available. Please feel free to phone and enquire so we may ascertain your exact requirements. Gemstone and organic substances are often treated by artificial means to improve their colour and appearance by methods other than cutting and polishing. To the best of our knowledge the descriptions of all goods sold by us conform to the rules laid down by the C.I.B.J.O. We will always search to find the perfect stone for you but on occasions we may not be able to do so due to lack of material or cut of the stone. In such an instance we will notify you before proceeding with your order.
Diamonds
All of Ember’s diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict in compliance with United Nations resolutions.
Ember hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and / or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds.
We do not deal in “conflict” diamonds and are supporters of the Kimberley Process.
Blood Diamonds Africa
About Conflict Diamonds
Conflict Diamonds began to attract world attention in the 1990’s rebel armies in parts of central and western Africa were illegally using the trade of rough diamonds to fund conflicts against legitimate internationally recognised governments.
The rebels used inhumane practices including torture and slavery to extract diamonds from the regions. These diamonds became known as Conflict Diamonds also referred to as “Blood Diamonds”
In the brutal conflict in Sierra Leone, it is estimated that Conflict Diamonds represented approximately 4% of the world’s diamond production. Illicit rough diamonds have also been used by rebels to fund conflicts in Angola, Liberia Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo (also known as Congo Brazzaville). Today, the flow of Conflict Diamonds has been reduced to considerably less than 1%.
Fair trade - Mozambique
The Kimberley process started when Southern African diamond-producing states met in Kimberley, South Africa, in May 2000, to discuss ways to stop the trade in ‘conflict diamonds’ and ensure that diamond purchases were not funding violence.
In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution supporting the creation of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds. By November 2002, negotiations between governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organisations resulted in the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). The KPCS document sets out the requirements for controlling rough diamond production and trade. The KPCS entered into force in 2003, when participating countries started to implement its rules.
For more information on the Kimberly process and ‘Conflict free’ diamonds please follow the links below:
