Guide to the Kimberley Process & Conflict-Free Diamonds

What Is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process is an international initiative created to stop the flow of conflict diamonds—rough diamonds sold by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments.

Officially launched in 2003 as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), it requires participating countries to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are conflict-free before export or import. Each shipment must be sealed and accompanied by a government-validated certificate.

The system was named after Kimberley, South Africa, where early negotiations took place in 2000.

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Why the Kimberley Process Was Created

In the 1990s, diamonds were linked to civil wars in countries such as Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These “conflict diamonds” funded armed violence and human rights abuses.

Public awareness surged following media coverage and advocacy campaigns. Governments, NGOs, and industry leaders collaborated to build a framework that could monitor rough diamond exports and prevent illicit trade.

The result was a multi-stakeholder system involving:

• Participating governments
• Diamond industry representatives
• Civil society observers

Today, the Kimberley Process includes 80+ participants representing the vast majority of global rough diamond production and trade.

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How the Kimberley Process Certification System Works

The Kimberley Process regulates rough diamonds only — not polished diamonds.

Here’s how it works at a high level:

• Rough diamonds are sealed in tamper-resistant containers.
• A government authority issues a Kimberley Process certificate.
• The shipment is exported only to another participating country.
• Importing authorities verify the certificate and shipment integrity.
• Data reporting ensures traceability at the national level.

Each certificate confirms that the shipment complies with the Kimberley Process definition of conflict-free.

For deeper education on how diamonds are tracked and graded beyond sourcing, see the GIA Diamond Grading resources.

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What the Kimberley Process Covers — and What It Doesn’t

What It Covers

• Rough diamond exports and imports
• Government-level certification
• Cross-border trade controls

What It Does Not Cover

• Polished diamonds
• Labor conditions
• Environmental standards
• Human rights issues not directly tied to rebel movements

This distinction is critical. A diamond may be Kimberley Process compliant but still raise other ethical considerations depending on mining conditions or governance issues.

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Strengths of the Kimberley Process

Since implementation, the Kimberley Process is credited with significantly reducing the proportion of conflict diamonds in the global supply chain.

• Established standardized global export controls
• Improved international cooperation
• Created accountability reporting systems
• Raised consumer awareness of diamond sourcing

According to the Kimberley Process Secretariat, conflict diamonds now represent a very small percentage of the global trade compared to pre-2003 estimates.

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Limitations & Criticisms

While impactful, the Kimberley Process has faced criticism.

• The definition of “conflict diamond” is narrow.
• It focuses only on rebel movements, not state violence.
• Enforcement relies heavily on participating governments.
• It does not address polished diamond trade directly.

Many advocacy groups have called for expanding the definition and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

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Buyer Verification Framework

For consumers seeking additional confidence, consider this layered approach:

• Confirm Kimberley Process compliance (government level).
• Request independent grading (GIA, IGI, or AGS where applicable).
• Ask for documented sourcing transparency.
• Work with established retailers who prioritize independent verification.

For regulatory reference on jewelry marketing standards in the U.S., see the FTC Jewelry Guides (16 CFR Part 23).

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Common Misunderstandings About the Kimberley Process

• Myth: KP certifies finished jewelry.
  Reality: It applies only to rough diamonds.
• Myth: KP guarantees full ethical sourcing.
  Reality: It addresses conflict funding, not broader ethics.
• Myth: KP replaces independent grading.
  Reality: Grading labs evaluate quality, not sourcing compliance.

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Frequently Asked Questions