Jewellers 'ignorant' over conflict diamonds

All diamonds need to be certified

UK jewellers are woefully unprepared for the introduction of new rules aimed at curbing the trade of diamonds from war-torn Africa, according to a survey.

Charity ActionAid, says its study has found "appalling complacency" in the industry towards diamonds bought from rebel-held areas and traded to fund arms purchases.

No attempts have been made to educate jewellers, yet they are the ones who have to prove to buyers they are selling clean diamonds

Amboka Wameyo, Action Aid

The survey comes as the biannual meeting of the World Diamond Congress gets underway on Monday and Tuesday in London.

In January 2003, the industry is due to take up a scheme of self-regulation, guaranteeing it does not trade in what are known as "conflict diamonds".

Under the scheme, jewellers must have evidence they can show to consumers that their diamonds are from legitimate sources.

Yet ActionAid says many in the trade remain unaware not only of the industry's agreement to self-regulate, but also of an EU directive on conflict diamonds making the scheme mandatory.

Posing as buyers, charity researchers approached thirteen High Street and luxury chains.

They found larger retailers were more aware of the issue although not of the scheme, which not a single company mentioned.

Clean diamonds

Amboka Wameyo, ActionAid's Africa policy officer said: "With only three months to go before the code of conduct is due to be introduced, the diamond industry is totally unprepared to implement it.

"The World Diamond Council, the industry's trade body, has not made public, even to its own members, details of its self-regulation scheme.

Jewellers trust suppliers to avoid conflict diamonds

"No attempts have been made to educate jewellers, yet they are the ones who have to prove to buyers that they are selling clean diamonds."

ActionAid is calling on the industry to immediately publish details of its scheme and is also demanding intensive training for members of the council, particularly retailers.

"Without detailed regulations, customers will be fed a lie when they ask for evidence from their jewellers. Any assurances will be meaningless," said Ms Wameyo.

The scheme is an attempt to dry up the source of funds for the conflicts in Sierra Leone, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, diamond chiefs dispute ActionAid's claims that illegal gems are still pouring onto the market.