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WDC Renews Call for KP Monitor in Zimbabwe and System of Warranties

No diamonds from the Marange diamond fields should be traded until the Kimberley Process monitor is in place and actively controlling exports from the area, the World Diamond Council (WDC) told members of the diamond industry in an announcement Wednesday. The WDC also urged industry members trading in diamonds (rough, polished, or in jewelry containing diamonds) to use the System of Warranties every time these products are sold.

The system serves as a means to assure consumer that they are not purchasing diamonds that have been traded in violation of any KP requirements. To combat the diamond smuggling and human rights abuses that have taken hold in Zimbabwe, the KP has developed, jointly with the government of Zimbabwe, a mechanism to ensure full compliance with KP requirements of all of Zimbabwe's diamond production.

"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 KP monitor is in place, and is controlling exports from that area."