Policy on Conflict Diamonds

We are aware of the situation regarding “Conflict Diamonds” and are fully complying with the directions that our industry has put in place to prevent this trade. We are gratified that all countries with significant involvement in the Diamond Trade and the leading industry associations have co-operated in creating a global system to combat the traffic in conflict diamonds. As retailers, we will do everything we can to make the new system effective.

The complimentary safeguards adopted by governments and by the industry mean that the diamond supply chain will be protected as never before from the trade in conflict diamonds. Customers can be confident that concrete, comprehensive measures are being taken to assure that diamonds offered for sale are “Conflict Free”.

With effect from 1 January 2003, the UK Government is following clear official guidelines. They bar the importation of shipments of rough diamonds that lack appropriate government certification from the exporting country or that come from nations that fail to subscribe to the new international agreement known as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

The most important contribution we can make within our industry is to deal only with trade suppliers of diamonds and diamond jewellery that comply with the programme of self-regulation. We fully adhere to that policy.

We have notified our trade suppliers of diamonds and diamond jewellery that merchandise we buy derived from rough diamonds mined after 31st December 2002 is to be accompanied by a warranty in the form approved by the International Diamond Manufacturers Association and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. This warranty assures us that the supplier vouches for the legitimacy of the merchandise and that the supplier, in turn, has required the same warranty from their source of merchandise. Following the recommendations of industry leaders, we have retained for inspection the warranties accompanying our purchases of diamonds and diamond jewellery.