CONFLICT-FREE DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES

 

 

 along with our global business partners, purchase from reputed Vassou's dealers that have a zero tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds and gemstones. If we become aware that any of our dealers are linked in any way to conflict stones, we will immediately cease to do business with them.

 

What are conflict diamonds? 

 

Conflict diamonds are diamonds illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa. The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds as "...diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council." These diamonds are sometimes referred to as "blood diamonds."

 

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is the process established in 2003 to prevent "conflict diamonds" from entering the mainstream rough diamond market by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 following recommendations in the Fowler Report. The process was set up "to ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments."