Most Americans equate a gift of diamonds with sentiments of love and commitment. Today, many sophisticated buyers specifically ask for conflict-free diamonds. These buyers want a diamond that’s free from the taint of civil war and all violence. Ethical, conflict-free diamonds are mined with environmental and labor standards in mind.

In order for diamonds to be considered ethically mined and source, miners shouldn’t have used the diamonds to finance civil war or any kind of violence. It’s well known that diamond-financed violence occurs in countries even when an official war isn’t in progress. Ethically mined and sourced diamonds must derive from conditions that are entirely free from the shedding of blood, whatever the cause. Mervis Diamond offers conflict-free quality diamonds of exceptional value.

Labor and Environmental Standards

Both labor and environmental standards must be considered for a diamond to be considered ethical and conflict-free. The diamond mine mustn’t use child labor. All workers and miners involved with the sourcing of the diamonds must earn a fare wage as well as decent and safe work conditions.

Miners and mining concerns must also avoid harming the local ecosystem in which they work. Protecting the local mining environment is part of the determination of whether a diamond is conflict-free.

Ethical Diamond Sourcing and Quality

Diamonds sourced from South Africa, Canada, Russia, Namibia, and Botswana typically meet the most stringent environmental and labor criteria. These countries’ diamonds are also highly regarded for gem quality.

Mervis in Tysons, Virginia offers customers high quality, conflict-free diamonds that are responsibly mined and distributed.

Diamond Quality

Not all diamonds are considered gem quality. A diamond’s quality is determined by the composite of objective observations. The “four C’s of diamond buying,” such as carat weight, clarity, cut, and color must also apply to the conflict-free diamond purchase. Experts recommend obtaining a laboratory diamond grade report for any diamond of 0.30 carats or more.

Conflict-free diamonds are more difficult to source. That fact shouldn’t prompt the diamond buyer’s acceptance of lesser quality diamonds at higher price points. Ethically-mined diamonds should also be high quality according to the four C’s.

Ethically-Mined Diamonds

It’s important for retailers offering ethically-mined diamonds to consider the gemstones’ source. Verified suppliers are part of the retailer’s checklist. For instance, diamonds mined in Canada are considered conflict-free. Canada’s diamond mine workers receive fair wages and mining conditions are safe. Environmental protection is the law in every Canadian state.

Canada’s diamonds were initially discovered in the 20th century. Canadian miners negotiated mutually beneficial contracts with local Arctic populations.
Today, Canada’s diamond mines produce gemstones of reliably high quality in a variety of sizes and shapes. Of course, diamonds must be cut and polished before they’re sold at the retail market. Conflict-free diamonds are also finished with both labor and safe environment practices in mind.

Selecting a conflict-free diamond shouldn’t mean paying a higher price. Retailers offering socially-conscious gems and jewelry want to offer their customers favorable prices. In some cases, ethically-mined and source diamonds cost less than diamonds used in standard jewelry designs at traditional chain store retailers.

Conflict-Free Diamond Policy

If in doubt about whether a retailer offers conflict-free diamonds, ask the retailer if he or she feels about diamond industry ethics. If the retailer says it’s not important to consider the ethics of diamond mining or doesn’t have an ethical sourcing policy in place, that retailer probably doesn’t offer conflict-free diamonds for sale.