Birgie Diamant, together with the global diamond industry, has a zero-tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds. Through measures such as the Kimberley Process, which tracks diamonds from mine to market, the industry monitors diamond exports in partnership with the United Nations, governments and non-governmental organizations to prevent the trade in illegal diamonds.
At Birgie Diamond, we only purchase diamonds through the largest and most reputable suppliers who, like us, proudly adhere to and enforce the standards set out in the Kimberley Process. All Birgie diamonds are guaranteed conflict-free. If any of our suppliers are ever found to be in breach of this process, we would immediately terminate that relationship. We will continue to support and promote any process that helps maintain legitimacy in the diamond trade.
About the Kimberley Process
The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a set of measures taken by the international community to stop the mining and trade of conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds are formally defined as rough diamonds mined in conflict zones in Africa. Specifically, conflict diamonds are mined by rebel factions to raise funds for their violent campaigns against their governments.
Birgie Diamant supports the Kimberley Process, an international process for tracking and certifying diamonds. In April 2003, Congress and President Bush passed legislation enacting the Kimberley Process, which requires all U.S. diamond dealers to purchase diamonds from manufacturers whose records show that the goods were obtained through legitimate channels. Today, the U.S. Customs Service actively enforces the Kimberley Process requirements when diamonds enter American ports.
Regarding Zimbabwe diamonds
Birgie Diamant is committed to ensuring the highest ethical standards are met when sourcing our diamonds and jewellery. Due to reported human rights abuses in Zimbabwe's Marange diamond district, Birgie Diamant will not purchase or offer diamonds from this area. As a responsible member of the diamond and jewellery industry, we work with our suppliers to ensure our consumers receive only the finest goods, sourced ethically.
Birgie Diamant’s position on responsible mining
Throughout our business, Birgie Diamonds upholds the highest ethical standards. We insist that our business partners do the same. This also applies to our gold sourcing. The issue of responsible mining is important and deserves our attention.
As signatories to the Golden Rules and as a first step, we will:
-Instruct suppliers to influence the procurement of gold products.
-Research the mining, refining and manufacturing practices of gold moving through the supply chain.
-Prefer suppliers who source gold from mines that maintain high standards of environmental responsibility.
-Work with our suppliers to increase the sourcing of gold from recycled and secondary sources.
Measure and establish benchmarks with the goal of continuous improvement.
Birgie Diamant views its Responsible Mining Policy as an evolving standard. It is committed to continually reviewing our position in order to expand it over time and achieve the greatest possible impact.