Tag: ethical diamonds

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Ethical Sourcing of Natural Diamonds

Understanding Ethical Diamonds

 

Natural diamonds have captivated humankind’s curiosity, forming deep under the Earth’s mantle over millions of years.

 

The diamond trade has had its share of controversies, with issues like conflict diamonds, environmental concerns, and unethical work practices tarnishing its lustre.

 

The diamond industry has undergone a significant transformation in response to these challenges. Ethical sourcing has emerged as a promise.

 

In the diamond industry, ethical sourcing refers to the responsible extraction and trade of diamonds, considering the supply chain’s social, environmental, and economic impacts.

 

It ensures that diamonds are beautiful and free from conflict and ecological harm throughout the diamond supply chain, from mining to retail.

 

 

The Importance of Ethical Sourcing

 

  • Conflict-Free Diamonds

One of the most significant ethical concerns in the diamond industry is the trade in conflict or “blood” diamonds. Established in 2003, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) has been instrumental in curbing the trade in conflict diamonds. Ethical sourcing seeks to eliminate the trade of these diamonds and promote the sale of conflict-free natural diamonds.

 

  • Sustainable Mining Practices

Ethical diamond sourcing goes beyond conflict-free certification. It also encompasses responsible mining practices. Look for companies that use eco-friendly mining techniques to minimise their environmental impact.

 

 

  • Social Responsibility

Diamond mining has been linked to human rights abuses in some regions of the world. It includes issues like forced labour, child labour, and unsafe working conditions. Ethical sourcing promotes fair labour practices, ensuring that miners are treated with dignity and paid fair wages.

 

 

Certified Diamonds & Traceability

 

When buying ethically sourced natural diamonds, transparency is your greatest ally. Companies committed to ethical practices are usually forthcoming about their sourcing methods. Here is what to look for:

 

  • Supply Chain Traceability

Many companies trace the journey of each diamond from mine to market. This transparency ensures you can verify the diamond’s origin and the ethical standards it meets.

 

  • Blockchain Technology

Some diamond suppliers are adopting blockchain technology to enhance traceability. Each diamond is assigned a unique digital certificate that contains information about its origin, characteristics, and ownership history. Blockchain ensures tamper-proof records and provides buyers with complete transparency.

 

  • Certifications

Look for certified diamonds by organisations such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA),  International Gemological Institute (IGI), or HRD Antwerp. These certifications provide third-party assurance of ethical sourcing.

 

 

The Beauty of Eco-Friendly Diamonds

 

Ethical diamonds contribute to human rights and conflict resolution and play a role in preserving our planet. Eco-friendly practices make diamonds shine brighter:

 

Reduced Environmental Impact: Ethical diamond companies prioritise minimising their environmental footprint. This includes responsible land reclamation and sustainable water management in mining operations.

 

Alternative Energy Use: Some forward-thinking diamond companies harness renewable energy sources like solar and wind power for their mining and processing operations, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

 

 

The Impact of Ethical Sourcing

 

Your choice to purchase an ethically sourced natural diamond has far-reaching consequences. It supports:

 

Peaceful Communities: It helps build peaceful and stable communities in regions historically affected by diamond-related conflicts.

 

Environmental Conservation: Sustainable practices protect ecosystems and promote biodiversity in diamond-producing areas.

 

Fair Labour - The Impact of Ethical Sourcing

 

Fair Labour: Your purchase supports fair wages and working conditions for the skilled artisans who bring your diamond jewellery to life.

 

 

 

Where to Buy Ethically Sourced Natural Diamonds?

 

As you embark on your journey to find the perfect natural diamond, remember that your choice has the power to promote ethical practices, protect the environment, and support communities in need. 

 

At Hari Krishna Exports Diamond Company, ethical sourcing and transparency are at the core of our diamond business. With a widespread global footprint, we are committed to delivering the highest quality natural loose and fancy-color diamonds, meticulously adhering to rigorous international standards.

 

Every diamond in our collection is accompanied by an in-house grading certification and third-party certification to ensure the utmost trust and authenticity.

 

To enhance your convenience and ensure a smooth user experience, download our hk.co app on Android and iOS.

 

Sign in and explore a wide range of traceable and sparkling diamonds.

 

In a world where every sparkle tells a story, let your diamond’s story be one of ethics, sustainability, and social responsibility.

How HK went one step above the traditional concept of conflict free diamonds?

If you are keen to the diamond or affiliated industry then you must have heard words like conflict diamonds/blood diamonds/conflict free diamonds/non conflict diamonds/ethically sourced diamonds/ethical diamonds/Kimberley diamonds and many more.

 

Have you ever wondered what these words mean or the particular diamond are categorized as conflict diamond or conflict free diamond? Well, let’s see.

How does the concept of conflict free diamonds emerge and what does it mean?

Before we heed to conflict free diamonds, it’s important to get the idea of conflict diamonds aka blood diamonds.

 

Conflict diamonds are a term used for illegally sold diamonds to fund war/conflict/terror, as described by the World Diamond Council (WDC).

These diamonds tend to originate in war-torn areas in central and western Africa, but through illegal trade, they could end up being sold anywhere in the world.

 

This brutality of the conflict brought the conflict diamonds into the spotlight and the whole world united against this activity.

 

The United Nations then pushed to put an end to producing conflict diamonds for once and all. Then the concept of conflict free diamonds emerged.

 

The conflict free diamonds are ethically mined and sold and have no connections to war/conflict/terror. Today, in many countries of the world, it is illegal to trade in conflict diamonds.

 

This initiative of encouraging conflict free diamonds is called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) popularly known as Kimberley Process. Let’s understand it in detail.

The Kimberley Process and how it ensures that the diamonds are conflict free?

The Kimberley system requires participating countries to closely track and scrutinize the journey (from mines to market) of all diamonds coming to their countries.

 

Each shipment of incoming diamonds should have a Kimberley Process Certificate as proof to ensure that the diamonds are conflict free.

 

Apart from this, the diamond industry has also established a System of Warranties for customers to reassure that the diamonds they are purchasing are guaranteed conflict free.

 

The System of Warranties is nothing but an exchange of invoice for diamond sale at each stage of the supply chain with a written guarantee of delivering conflict-free diamonds in compliance with United Nations resolutions.

 

Any diamond retailer in the world who chooses to participate in the Kimberley Process should commit to never work with unknown suppliers and never do business with those who are originated/associated/indulged in areas of conflict diamonds.

 

Currently, thousands of retailers from 75 countries in the world are participants of the Kimberley Process and pledged to remain conflict free.

 

Speaking of which, we are proud to state that HK is also a part of the Kimberley Process. As diamonds might be valuable, but nothing is more valuable than establishing the world free from wars, crimes, and terror.

How does HK go beyond the traditional idea of conflict free diamonds?

As we have mentioned, Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. is fully committed to complying with all the requirements specified in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and System of Warranties.

 

That is not enough at HK, as we went one step further in the idea of conflict free diamonds and developed the idea of ethical diamonds.

 

Wondering what ethical diamonds are when it comes to natural diamonds? Well, let us explain.

 

So in addition to comply with all the norms stated in the Kimberley Process and System of Warranties, HK additionally works at maintaining moral and ethical value in diamond manufacturing. Such as:

Zero-tolerance Policy against Money Laundering or Terror Financing:

We recognize the fact that many entities in the diamond industry have to take on the onus of analyzing their potential vulnerabilities to money laundering and implement certain policies to safeguard themselves against abuse and threats by criminals.

 

But HK has a strict Zero-tolerance policy against money-laundering or terror financing. As we ensure all the KYC norms of the customer before we do any transactions. Also, we maintain records of all the small details of any minor transactions with customers.

Health and Safety:

HK works towards developing a sustainable, value-creating business and is committed to eliminating any source of health and safety risks in any of its processes/operations which puts the lives of HK people at danger on an immediate basis.

Human Rights Protection:

As per the Factory Act and RJC COP, it is mandatory to protect the human rights of all the people working in the company, and we follow them strictly. 

 

HK closely monitors that the human rights of each person at HK should be protected and violations of such causes adequate strict actions.

 

Any form of discrimination, harassment, abuse in any business facilities or practices based on any lawful grounds including the practice of forced labor is strictly not practiced in the company and strongly discouraged by the Company. Any reported incident of such puts the responsible person under strict actions.

HK – Faith is in the Name

HK stands on the cornerstones of Faith, Excellence, Integrity, and Trust which are embedded so well in our culture that they reflect in all our facilities, products, people, policies & practices, and relations.

 

We believe that in this highly-competitive world, where even technology gets outdated in seconds after it is developed, our values are perpetually in place at Hari Krishna Exports and that’s what makes us relevant in any period of time. 

 

Explore our brand-new collection of magnificent conflict free diamonds with an in house Faith certificate by registering yourself on hk.co or downloading our Avant-garde hk.co mobile app available on several platforms including Android & iOS.