FAQs
About Our Mission
How is Brilliant Earth Different from Other Retailers that Claim They Offer Conflict Free Diamonds?
The Kimberley Process defines “conflict free” diamonds as diamonds that have not financed a civil war. But many diamonds that are technically “conflict free” are nevertheless tainted by torture, rape, violence, and worker exploitation. Problems such as child labor, forced labor, low wages, dangerous working conditions, corruption, and environmental devastation do not prevent a diamond from earning a “conflict free” label. Brilliant Earth goes above and beyond the current industry standards to offer Beyond Conflict Free™ diamonds with a listed origin. Our select group of diamond suppliers demonstrate a robust chain of custody protocol for their diamonds and have the ability to track and segregate diamonds by origin. These suppliers are required to source diamonds that originate from specific mine operators who follow internationally recognized labor, trade, and environmental standards. We also offer lab grown and recycled diamonds, both of which are responsible alternatives. Many retailers make vague claims that their diamonds are ethically sourced. However, few retailers take the time to understand their supply chains.
What is the Kimberley Process? Does it Verify that Diamonds are Ethically-Sourced?
The Kimberley Process certification scheme was created in 2003 to break the link between diamonds and bloodshed. Unfortunately, the Kimberley Process monitors only conflict diamonds – that is, rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments. It fails to address much of the violence and human rights abuses facing diamond mining today, such as torture, rape, extrajudicial killings, corruption, child labor, and forced labor. The Kimberley Process suggests that “conflict free” diamonds are ethically sourced. In fact, diamonds receiving “conflict free” certification from the Kimberley Process may have tragic histories.
What is a Conflict Diamond?
Conflict diamonds, according to the most common definition, are rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments. However, besides civil wars, diamond mining today is plagued by a range of shocking ethical abuses. These include violence by governments, child labor, extreme poverty, and environmental devastation. At Brilliant Earth, we believe that the diamond industry needs to focus on addressing all of these problems, which is why we only sell Beyond Conflict Free™ diamonds.