The Kimberley Process

 

By Margi Jenks

 

Beginning on January 1, 2011, visitors who find and register a diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park will be given information about the Kimberley Process.  In 2003 an international initiative was launched to prevent rough diamonds from being used to finance civil wars.  In the 1990’s diamonds had been used to fund civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Angola.  Rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflicts against legitimate governments are called “conflict diamonds” or sometimes referred to as “blood diamonds.” Among the Process’ goals are to assure consumers that by purchasing rough diamonds they are not financing war and human rights abuses. 

 

Presently 76 countries have signed on to the Kimberley Process.  These countries, including the United States, cover the vast majority of the world’s $25 billion-a-year rough diamond trade.  In 2003 Congress enacted the Clean Diamond Trade Act.  This act and Executive order 13312, have established a framework for the United States’ implementation of the Kimberley Process.  Civil and criminal penalties can apply if the requirements for this Process are not followed by rough diamond exporters.

 

So, what does this mean for Crater visitors?  First, this Process applies only if you find a Crater diamond.  Second, the only change that visitors will immediately see is the helpful information that we will be handing out every time a visitor registers a diamond.  The U. S. State Department has provided these information sheets to the park.  The sheets contain the information that the visitors will need to meet the Process requirements. 

 

Third, our visitors will only need to meet the requirements if they decide to take the rough diamond out of the United States.  They will not be allowed to take it through the normal customs channels.  Instead, they are required to ship it to their destination using one of the four companies that are presently licensed to issue Kimberley Process certificates, and ship rough diamonds across U.S. borders.  These companies are Brinks Global Services, Malca-Amit, G4S International Logistics, and Ferrari Express, Inc.  These export rules also apply to any foreign visitors to the park who want to take their Crater diamond home.  They will need to follow the Process requirements even if they are from Canada and Mexico.  Finally, once a diamond has been fully cut or polished, it is no long subject to the provisions of the Kimberley Process or the Clean Diamond Trade Act.

 

More information about the process and the certificate can be found by contacting the Jewelers Vigilance Committee at 212/997-2002 or looking at the State Department website: www.state.gov/e/eeb/diamonds.

 

Search area last plowed:  October 15, 2010; Trenching began on October 13, 2010 to move the East Drain farther to the west

Most recent significant rain:  December 29, 2010 (1.48 inches)

Total diamonds found in 2010: 601

Diamonds registered for December 26, 2010 - January 1, 2011 (100 points = 1carat):

December 26  to 29- No diamonds registered

December 30 - Bob Culver, Crestwood, IL, 5 pt. white; Scott Sampson, Orlando, FL, 20 pt. brown

December 31 - Webster Thomas, Eudora, KS, 23 pt. white; Al & Ella Bell, Murfreesboro, AR, 4 pt. white

January 1  - Crater of Diamonds State Park was closed