Diamonds & Rings > Diamonds > Our Position on Conflict Diamonds
We're Proud You Won't Find Conflict Diamonds at Robbins Bros.
"We Don't Just Love Our Customers, We Love the World."
Since the inception of our company, Robbins Bros. has been unilaterally against the importation of conflict diamonds. We've proudly vowed to follow a rigid policy that ensures the diamonds we purchase are mined and distributed under the highest ethical standards. As a direct diamond importer, we only purchase diamonds that originate with Diamond Trading Center (DTC) site holders, who are precluded from trading in conflict diamonds.
We also steadfastly support and are 100% compliant with The Kimberley Process and The Clean Diamond Trade Act. Thankfully, these worldwide efforts ensure that virtually no Conflict Diamonds come to the United States.
We've also gone one step further. We mandate that every one of our suppliers sign documentation verifying that 100% of the diamonds supplied to Robbins Bros. are conflict free.
What Are "Conflict Diamonds"?
Conflict Diamonds are diamonds that originate and are mined from areas controlled by forces at war, or otherwise in armed conflict with the region's existing officially recognized government. The diamonds produced from these areas are used to illegally, and often brutally, fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the United Nations Security Council. Conflict Diamonds are also sometimes referred to as "Blood Diamonds."
Measures to Ensure Conflict-Free Diamonds
- The Kimberley Process - In May 2000, Global participants came together in Kimberley, South Africa to create and implement standardization of certification among diamond exporting countries, thereby creating common language, transparency, auditing and monitoring of diamond exportation. Since the Kimberley Process has been put in place, the DTC reports that 99.8% of imported diamonds are certified conflict free.
- Certificate of Origin - A well-structured Certificate of Origin regime has proven to be an effective means of ensuring that only "legitimate diamonds," that is, those only from conflict free government controlled areas, reach the world market. New legislation now levies significant sanctions against those who fail to comply, barring their access to the legitimate diamond market.
- The Clean Diamond Trade Act - In May 2000, the U.S. government signed the Clean Diamond Trade Act, which enables the U.S to implement the procedures developed by more than 50 countries to exclude rough conflict diamonds from international trade, while promoting legitimate trade. The Clean Diamond Trade Act is aimed at protecting the legitimate diamond industry.
