Buying Ethically Traded Diamonds

On the main page for ethical diamonds, we covered the key subjects that help you understand what an ethical diamond is. From the mining process, the country of origin, the trade agreements and laws that govern the buying and selling of this precious gemstone. In addition to understanding what makes a diamond ethical, the task rests with the factors one needs to consider when opting to purchase an ethically sourced and traded diamond. So the challenge here is twofold. One to clearly understand what constitutes an ethically traded diamond, and what kind of factors you need to consider in getting hold of an ethically traded diamond. Or, if other possibilities exist for those who are seeking a worthy diamond alternative.

The ethics of diamonds is an increasingly significant factor that more and more people are considering when going for this precious gemstone. For the choice to spend thousands of dollars on a diamond gemstone, or a diamond engagement ring can potentially be a complex decision. In addition to the cost, in recent times the social and environmental dimension has also entered the equation. With growing concerns over the possibility that the diamond in question may have funded a far off conflict; contributed to human rights abuses; be the product of unfair or inhuman labour practices; or have resulted in causing serious harm to the natural environment during its extraction process becomes, all work into the question: How do I ensure that the diamond that I purchase is an ethical one? One that is ethical not only in terms of its mining, cutting and polishing, but the use of its profits and the aims of the relevant holders. Here we will provide five points that will help you identify and buy an ethically traded diamond.

1. Identify the Diamond’s Country of Origin

Knowing the country of origin of your diamond is a key first step. Since many of the top diamond producing nations are located in unstable regions in Sub Saharan Africa, where political corruption and wars are rife, the danger of your purchase is a part of the conflict mineral trade is a very real one. Whilst a lot of attention in recent years has been directed towards the prevention or limiting of the trading of diamonds that fuel conflicts, known under the popular heading of ‘blood diamonds’, not enough attention is been aimed towards the dangers of corrupt governments and poor work conditions that tend to characterize the mining operations in these unstable parts of the world. With major diamond producing countries like Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) being notorious for their warlike conditions, poor governance, and widespread prevalence of human rights violations in the diamond mining industry and when it comes to other economic minerals. Whilst it is not up to say that one must avoid diamonds and other precious gemstones that are sourced from these parts of the world altogether, however, in practice greater caution is required when it comes to such nations. Thus a safer option for those seeking ethically mined and traded diamonds from African countries would be to consider diamonds sourced from places like Namibia and Botswana: countries where strict labour laws and environmental standards are in place.

The Canadian Option: ‘CanadMark Diamonds’

If you are really serious about getting your ethical choice of diamonds right, then it might be better to elsewhere, to a developed country option like Canada. The North American nation is a newer entrant into the diamond trade, and its short history has been defined by its commitment to ethical mining and trading practices, not only with diamonds but when it comes to other economic minerals as well. Diamonds mined in Canada hence are likely to be more expensive, owing to the higher labour cost, and the cost of implementing strict worker and environmental standards. If one is up for it, an ethical diamond buyer may consider CanadaMark Diamonds supplied by Dominion Diamond Corporation (now the Arctic Canadian Diamond Company): which promises which are sourced only from Canada, with the mining and cutting and selling carried out under strict supervision.

2. Learn about the Supply Chain

In addition to knowing what country your diamonds come from, another key feature to keep an eye on is the supply chains: the various stages of the business process, that in present times with major multinational companies are often stretched out across many countries. With various business segments operating under different rules and oversight. This is a more complex question in understanding the ethics of diamonds, for it goes beyond knowing the country where the diamonds are mined or sold, but to look deeper into the business practices and philosophy of the organization. One that requires personal initiatives and the willingness to do your own research, especially when dealing with your choice of ethical diamond jewellery.

Ethical Business and Social Responsibility

If you read our main post on ethical diamonds you would know the problems associated with unethical diamonds is not limited to conflict minerals, like blood diamonds, but also relates to questions of development and social welfare. Diamond companies that are serious about the ethics of their business would invest time and resources in supporting the local communities from the diamonds are sourced. From providing education and health related investments to other pro-environmental funding. For in addition to being able to trace the journey of the diamond from mine to jeweller, the business needs to be committed to the well being of the local communities in which operates.

3. Request Diamond Certification from your Jeweller

This is a general housekeeping rule that anyone looking for a good diamond, ethical or otherwise must follow. For when it comes to getting hold of quality: that is a well-cut diamonds, with few or no blemishes, for the right price, the inquiry is a must. When it comes to getting hold of an ethically traded diamond, the process requires a few more steps. First, ask about the diamond itself, its colour, clarity, cut and carat (the 4Cs). From there you can proceed to ask questions about the country of origin, the diamond supplier, and the supply chain that the diamond went through before getting to the store. It is best to not go straight to questions about conflict diamonds, the business ethics of the mining companies (in case the jeweller is not the diamond mining company), and environmental issues. So it is important to slowly pose these questions on ethics, as you work your way through other questions you will have on the ethicality of your diamond. Further, if you are buying your diamonds as a part of an engagement ring or other fine jewellery item, then it is best to inquire about the type/nature of the gold that was used (e.g the gold that was used to make the engagement ring band), and importantly the relevant fair trade practices that were adopted in their manufacture. So when it comes to requesting certification, you may ask for the validation of the GIA Standard for diamonds (Gemological Institute of America). From which you can proceed to verify the ethical sources and trade practices that went into producing the diamond and the certification that comes with it. With De Beers Forevermark diamonds being one such example. 

4. Consider Synthetic Diamond Alternatives

If you want to make your task of finding an ethical diamond simple, a seemingly straightforward is to go for a lab-grown diamond. Lab-grown or synthetic diamonds are almost a guarantee in ensuring that your diamond is not only conflict-free, but its production involved no exploitation of labour or environmental harm. Since lab-grown diamonds are manufactured in advanced labs, under strict supervision, usually involving experts the chances of it (the diamonds), or the profit from the sale of these synthetic diamonds falling into the wrong hands is almost zero. Further, the production of lab-grown diamonds almost always takes place in developed countries, which makes it a safer bet. And when it comes to quality and durability, since synthetic diamonds are virtually identical to natural diamonds in their chemical character and in appearance, makes them an attractive option. Further, these lab-grown avoids the many problems associated with diamonds that are minimized in the developing world: with dangerous work conditions, the risk to life, and poor pay, and potential harm to the natural environments that result from mining for natural diamonds. The more eco-friendly option, synthetic diamonds however do comes with their downsides: besides being cheaper, they are often perceived as an inferior alternative to natural diamonds.

5. Going with the Recycled Diamond Option

First, what do we mean by recycled diamonds: this variant refers to previously owned diamonds (also known as reclaimed or estate diamonds) that have once again entered the market. The market for these types of carbon-based gemstones can be considered a sort of second hand one; however, these types of diamonds do carry a certain kind of value to them. As diamonds that were previously owned they carry a certain character, which certain types of buyers might enjoy. In addition, the industry for recycled diamonds is not as expansive or formal as for those of mined, new commercial diamonds, natural or otherwise. So even the idea of getting hold of them may become a challenge. The prevalence of recycled diamonds is partly a result of previous diamond owners who have sold or pawned off their precious stone or bearing jewellery. Whilst the method that has unearthed these vintage diamonds may not necessarily be ethical; by going for these types of stones you are taking what is already in the market. And since diamonds don’t lose their natural lustre for a very long time, recycled diamonds maintain their shine, sheen long after the original purchase. From a demand and supply standpoint, the key is in repurposing the existing diamond supply for future use. So there need have to be another diamond mined just for you! Whilst things are not as simple in reality, going for a recycled diamond is a safer choice, other things considered diamond.