Conflict Free Diamonds

     The term “blood diamond” or “conflict diamond” refers to diamonds mined in war zones and sold on the black market to fund rebel groups.
     Theaters began showing the movie “Blood Diamond” on December 7, 2006 starring Leonardo DiCaprio. This movie depicts the story of a diamond smuggler, Archer, during the brutal civil war of Sierra Leone in the 1990’s. While jailed, he meets another South African, Solomon, who was forced to mine for diamonds. Solomon found an exceptionally large pink diamond which could save his family and buy them freedom, but the word was out he had found and hidden the stone. This movie is very graphic and disturbing to see.
     Fortunately, their civil war ended in 2003 and there is now a worldwide monitoring process at every step of the diamond pipeline to prevent these diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply. Mandated by the United Nations, the Kimberley Process and System of Warranties, have been adopted by 69 countries. At the present time 99 percent of the diamonds are certified through conflict-free sources.
     Diamond-mining African countries rely on this as one of the main sources of income. Revenues from mining fund many essentials such as health, education, and development.

Julee’s Jewelry has certification from all vendors that all diamonds are conflict free and that they comply with the Kimberley Process and System of Warranties. Although located here in southern Minnesota, our diamonds come from a variety of sources including, Canada, Russia, and Africa.