Stung by accusations that the diamond trade has supported war against governments in Africa, De Beers,the giant of the industry, said today that it would give written guarantees that its stones do not come from rebel groups in the continent. The announcement was the clearest statement so far of De Beers's resolve to keep illicit stones out of its arcane selling process. That system allows 125 approved dealers, mostly jewelry manufacturers, to buy shoe-box size consignments of uncut diamonds 10 times a year from the company's stockpile in London. De Beers's announcement coincided with wider efforts by the world's diamond industry as a United Nations panel prepares a report for next month chronicling the use of diamonds to finance wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, Congo and elsewhere.
Illicit gems account for only a small part of the global diamond market.
The certificate will mean that the boxes sold by the Central Selling Organization contain only gems bought from De Beers mines in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia or bought from places like Russia, Canada and government-controlled mines in Angola, said Andrew Lamont, a company spokesman. But the announcement was welcomed by some of the company's critics. De Beers stands to lose nothing by this financially and has a great deal to gain in public perceptions. Ms. Gordon also said the move came when diamond sales by rebels from Angola were substantially lower. If you appreciate the information we provide, please support our work.