Ingle Says Independents Must Promote Ethical Trade
by Admin on February 9th, 2010
Jewelry retailer Ingle & Rhode joined a growing number of companies speaking out against Zimbabwe’s diamond mining industry. In a statement released today, London-based Ingle & Rhode confirmed to consumers in the U.K. that it is known for it “ethical jewelry” produced using conflict-free diamonds and fair trade gold.
Ingle & Rhode cited the ongoing battle between Zimbabwe and U.K.-based African Consolidated Resources (ACR) for diamond claims in the Marange area. ACR has claimed all diamonds removed from their claims in dispute should be considered “stolen.”
“That the Zimbabwean government is resorting to little more than bullying to encroach on the diamond fields of Marange is, sadly, of little surprise and shows just how much work is needed to go into Africa’s diamond trade to make it legitimate and fair for all,” said Tim Ingle of Ingle & Rhode. “The industry will always have a black mark against its name with actions like these, and it is up to independent traders such as Ingle & Rhode to promote the cause of ethical diamonds and jewelry.”
UN Urges Calm in Cote d’Ivoire
by Admin on February 9th, 2010
The United Nations deplored recent violence in Katiola and Divo, Cote d’Ivoire, as voter registration continues before its March presidential election. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Cote d’Ivoire, UNOCI, appealed for calm in preparation for the final voters list, a vital step in the process towards the holding the long-delayed presidential polls.
UNOCI “encourages all the parties to work to resolve the issues while respecting their respective prerogatives,” spokesman Hamadoun Touré told reporters in Abidjan yesterday. Touré urged all parties to exercise self-control in order to preserve and consolidate the “remarkable” achievements made in the electoral process so far.
Cote d’Ivoire, which is considered a source of conflict diamonds, has postponed presidential elections repeatedly since 2005 and most recently as November 2009. Elections are now slated for March.
Touré noted that, while it is not UNOCI’s responsibility to decide on an election date, there were risks of yet further delays. “Taking into account all the remaining phases, simple mathematics shows that time is not on our side,” he said.
This past week, the U.N. Security Council extended UNOCI’s mandate through May 31, 2010, and the French forces supporting it, to help Côte d’Ivoire stage free, fair and transparent elections. It was only after these elections are held would the Security Council reassess the diamond embargo and other measures.
Win a Free Conflict Free Diamond Pendant for Valentine’s Day from Whiteflash.com and Stylit.Tv
by Admin on February 3rd, 2010
Want to Win a FREE Diamond Pendant for Valentine’s Day? Yes we said Free!
All you have to do is click here to enter and win!
Selecting a Valentine’s Day gift can be a very tough job as it is not always easy to find a gift that is romantic and unique, and really conveys the depth of your love. Valentine’s Day is a time to show that special person in your life how much they mean to you–often with a personal gift. But why buy something when you can win it from Whiteflash.com and Stylit.Tv for free?
Like true love, a diamond is forever, and online boutique Whiteflash.com offers a specialized round brilliant that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. “Hearts & Arrows” diamonds are cut so precisely that facet reflections overlap; creating distinct heart and arrow patterns when seen through a special viewer. Whiteflash.com’s signature line is “A Cut Above;” an elite brand of conflict-free diamonds that has been called the world’s most visually balanced.
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The creation of an “A Cut Above” diamond begins with selection of premium diamond rough. For the hearts and arrows pattern to appear every one of the 57 facets must be perfectly cut and polished by skilled craftsmen. When all of these tiny mirrors are precisely aligned the result is a diamond unmatched in brilliance and sparkle. If any detail falls outside of Whiteflash.com’s tight tolerances the diamond will not be branded “A Cut Above.”
So if you’re thinking of giving your heart away this Valentine’s Day, you may want to enter to win Stylit.TV and Whiteflash.com’s eternal hearts & arrows perfectly polished into “A Cut Above” diamond pendant from Whiteflash.com. All you need to do is watch the video on the Whiteflash site here and enter the promotion code at http://www.stylit.tv/ for your chance to win!
Good Luck!
Stop Trading Blood Diamonds
by Admin on January 29th, 2010
Severe human rights violations, including murder, rape and forced labor, have taken place in the diamond fields of Marange, Zimbabwe. Recent reports from Human Rights Watch (HRW) indicate that these horrific conditions continue to take place.
Blood diamonds from Marange, Zimbabwe, have been issued Kimberley Process (KP) certificates and imported into the cutting centers, where they were cut and polished and then sold to dealers, jewelry manufacturers and retailers. Tens of thousands of carats of blood diamonds are now in dealers’ inventories and jewelers’ showcases — and are being actively sold to consumers.
The jewelry trade’s purchase and distribution of blood diamonds is funding a continuing cycle of horrific human rights violations. Our industry is providing money and distribution to those who murder, rape and enslave. Every time we buy or sell a blood diamond, we are sending a message of encouragement to the perpetrators of these inhuman crimes. We are legitimizing their dirty business. We become their partners in crime.
We must face the fact that the KP has been issuing certificates for Marange blood diamonds. The KP has made these “certified blood diamonds” perfectly legal. Customs officials did not — and do not — have the right to stop Marange diamonds with KP certificates. Instead of eliminating blood diamonds, the KP has become a process for the systematic legalization and legitimization of blood diamonds. When you get right down to it, the KP has become a blood diamond laundering system. The KP is not just a sham; it’s a scam.
To understand how this could happen, we must define “blood diamonds” and compare our definition to the KP definition of “conflict diamonds.
Rapaport definition:“Blood diamonds are diamonds involved in murder, mutilation, rape or forced servitude.”
KP definition:“Conflict diamonds means rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments, as described in relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions insofar as they remain in effect, or in other similar UNSC resolutions which may be adopted in the future, and as understood and recognised in United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 55/56, or in other similar UNGA resolutions which may be adopted in future…”
The KP definition of conflict diamonds does not address human rights violations and does not include blood diamonds. It is a legal definition established by governments to limit the scope and authority of the KP. The KP is a highly politicized process controlled by governments for governments. Its primary function is to protect governments and their revenue — legitimate or not — from rebel forces and consumer boycotts. The KP is essentially agnostic when it comes to human rights. As HRW concluded in its November 6, 2009, report: “This diamond monitoring body has utterly lost credibility.”
In spite of the above, there is a common misconception in the jewelry trade that diamonds with KP certificates are free of human rights abuses. Trade organizations, under the misguided leadership of the World Diamond Council (WDC), have promoted and continue to promote the KP as an acceptable standard for ensuring human rights compliance, even though they know that the KP has been issuing certificates for blood diamonds that have penetrated the diamond and jewelry supply chain. The WDC refuses to inform the trade that the KP cannot be relied upon to ensure human rights compliance and that polished blood diamonds are in the supply chain. The WDC has lost its moral compass. Its primary loyalty is now to the KP and not to the diamond industry or even the basic principles of human decency.
What To Do?
• Raise Consciousness.
• Stay informed.
• Return diamonds that you suspect may be blood diamonds.
• Ask Before You Buy.
The World Diamond Council Wants Vigilance Against Marange Diamonds
by Admin on January 29th, 2010
The World Diamond Council (WDC) renewed its call today for members of the industry to redouble their efforts to ensure that no diamonds from the Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe are traded until the Kimberley Process (KP) monitor is in place and actively controlling exports from the area.
The KP has developed, jointly with the government of Zimbabwe, a mechanism to ensure full compliance with KP requirements throughout Zimbabwe’s diamond production pipeline, including for diamonds from Marange, the one region in Zimbabwe where there were substantial indications of noncompliance.
“The WDC is committed to supporting this mechanism fully,” said Eli Izhakoff, WDC’s president. “All participants in the supply chain for diamonds are responsible to apply intensive due diligence to ensure that no diamonds from Marange are traded until the Kimberley Process monitor is in place and is controlling exports from that area.”
The WDC urgently reminded all industry members trading in diamonds —rough and polished, as well as in jewelry containing diamonds — to use the System of Warranties every time these products are sold. This system was designed to provide assurances through the entire supply chain and down to the consumer that they are not purchasing diamonds that have been traded in violation of any KP requirements.
Industry and consumer groups are again urged to visit www.diamondfacts.org to learn more about the System of Warranties, additional facts on the current situation in Zimbabwe and information about the good that diamonds do worldwide. Free, downloadable materials, designed for both the trade and consumers, explaining the System of Warranties and the KP are available there.
World Diamond Council Tells Zimbabwe: Appoint Monitor or Leave the Kimberly Process
by Admin on January 21st, 2010
The World Diamond Council (WDC) announced Monday that it will call for the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Kimberly Process (KP) Certification Scheme unless a monitor is appointed soon.
The WDC stated that their need be a “credible, independent Monitor” to oversee mining operations and exports from the Marange diamond field. The WDC stated that the Zimbabwean government agreed to have a monitor as part of a Working Plan put in place by the KP in November intended to bring Zimbabwe into full compliance and end human rights abuses.
The Marange diamond fields have been the subject of much scrutiny as allegations of government-sanctioned mining and smuggling in the region have increased in recent years. In July, a KP review mission cited such allegations, in addition to widespread human rights abuses committed by the Zimbabwe military, who are there under the premise of protecting of the field from illegal mining.
Exports from the Marange region have been suspended since November and will not resume until a monitor is appointed and in place, the WDC stated.
Last Chance to Enter Whiteflash’s Green Love Dreams of Africa Pendant & Earrings Sweepstakes
by Admin on January 15th, 2010
Your chance is almost over to enter to win Whiteflash Green Love Giveaway! This holiday season Whiteflash is beginning an initiative to educate consumers about conflict diamonds and how to purchase socially conscious gifts for your loved ones this holiday. Whiteflash.com introduces “Green Love” this holiday season. As an online e-tailor we know that it is all about your peace of mind and your wallet. Right now if you order any Whiteflash conflict free diamond or enter on our sweepstakes page (no purchase necessary) during the period of November 29th to January 25th you will be automatically entered to win your choice of Mini Dreams of Africa pendant or Dreams of Africa ® earrings made with Whiteflash A Cut Above ® melee diamonds in your choice of white or yellow gold. Two lucky winners will be selected.
All you need to do is enter and get the chance to win a Dreams of Africa diamond pendant or diamond earrings just in time for the holidays. Enter to Win here: http://www.whiteflash.com/info/greenlove.aspx
Prizes And Value: There will be TWO (2) winners, a Grand Prize Winner and a First Prize Winner.
Grand Prize. The Grand Prize is a Mini-Dreams of Africa® Diamond Pendant in 18 Carat Gold set with 20 Whiteflash A Cut Above ® Diamond Melee (0.30ctw; Color: F/G, Clarity: VS) . Approximate Retail Value (”ARV”) is $1,400.
First Prize. The First Prize is a pair of Dreams of Africa® Diamonds for Life Diamond Earrings in 18 Carat Gold set with 6 Whiteflash ACA Diamond Melee (0.15ctw). ARV is $300.
Angolan Nabbed with $4M Rough Diamond in Frankfurt
by Admin on January 15th, 2010
An 86.7-carat rough diamond worth an estimated $3.6 million has been seized at Frankfurt airport from an Angolan man arriving from Namibia, police said on Friday. The 38-year-old, who has not been named, told customs officials after being detained with a forged visa on Thursday that he intended to use the precious stone to buy cars in Portugal and that it was worth only $72,000.
But an examination concluded the diamond, around three centimetres (one inch) high and three centimetres wide, and for which the man could produce no documentation, was worth around EUR 2.5 million.
The man will not get the diamond back as he is accused of “a whole range of offences” including breaching international rules stopping the trade in “blood diamonds,” from conflict areas, customs spokesman Hans-Juergen Schmidt said.
He also faces charges of smuggling and of withholding around $718,000 in import taxes, and was due to go before an investigating judge later on Friday, Schmidt told AFP. “The diamond will most likely be confiscated and go to the German state,” Schmidt said. “He will not be a free man whatever happens. The judge will either remand him in custody or he will be deported to Angola.”
Prosecution Asks Taylor if he Gave Blood Diamond to Model
by Admin on January 15th, 2010
British top model Naomi Campbell may have to appear as a witness in the trial against Charles Taylor after allegations surfaced that had given her a so-called blood diamond in 1997.
Taylor, the former president of Liberia, is standing trial at the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague. A SCSL spokesperson could not confirm whether Campbell would in fact be heard as a witness, but confirmed the prosecution had been in touch with her.
Taylor is charged with having orchestrated war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 11-year civil war in neighbouring Sierra Leone that started in 1991 and claimed an estimated 120,000 lives.
“That diamond that you sent to Naomi Campbell,” prosecutor Brenda Hollis asked Taylor during a cross-examination Thursday, “was one of the diamonds that you had been given by the junta in Sierra Leone. Isn’t that correct?”
Taylor’s response was to call the allegations “total nonsense.” Hollis said Taylor had given the diamond to Campbell after a dinner in South Africa in 1997 also attended by South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela, musician Quincy Jones, and actress Mia Farrow.
The diamond was allegedly one of several gems that rebels from Sierra Leone gave to Taylor so that he could purchase arms for them in South Africa.
Taylor is alleged to have backed and armed the rebel forces in Sierra Leone to gain control of the country’s diamond mines. He is the first former African leader and the second former head of state, after the former Yugoslavia’s Slobodan Milosevic, to be tried by an international war crimes court. He denies all charges.
The SCSL, set up jointly by Sierra Leone and the UN, is mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations law in the country since November 30, 1996.
Taylor’s trial was moved from Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown to the Netherlands for security reasons. The trial of the former Liberian president is taking place at the ICC premises.
Zimbabwe Cancels Diamond Auction
by Admin on January 15th, 2010
A planned auction of more than 300,000 carats of rough diamonds scheduled for last Thursday has been cancelled last minute by the government of Zimbabwe, according to a report on a government web site. The goods were apparently not certified by the Kimberley Process.
In its cancellation notice, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary Thankful Musukutwa said that Mbada Diamonds Mining, which holds a license to mine diamonds in Chiadzwa, had not followed diamond sales procedures.
According to Musukutwa, the auction will take place after the diamonds are examined and get KP certification.
“The government of Zimbabwe and the KPCS [Kimberley Process Certification Scheme] are currently in the process of engaging that KP monitor and as such no export [of diamonds] will take place prior to certification by the KP monitor,” said Thankful Musukutwa.
The decision to appoint a KP monitor came as a compromise at a KP meeting in November after international pressure to ban Zimbabwe from the certification system. The demand was raised after reports in 2008 of a military crackdown on illegal miners in the region resulted in 200 deaths as well as involvement of government officials in smuggling diamonds out of the country.
The Kimberley Process, formed to battle financing rabble activities by selling diamonds, decided on the appointment of the monitor. Zimbabwe is yet to approve the KP’s candidate. Until a monitor is in place, Zimbabwe can not export diamonds from Chiadzwa or the Marange region.
“The government of Zimbabwe observes and is committed to the administrative decision of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme,” said Musukutwa.
Last week’s auction was planned to be the first of two such selling opportunities, with the second auction to be held this week, according to Mbada chairman Robert Mhlanga.
The Zimbabwean government is to reportedly receive the bulk of the proceeds - a 50 percent dividend as a partner of Mbada, a 10 percent royalty fee, a 15 percent tax and a five percent resource depletion fee.
