Ethical Sourcing of Natural Diamonds
Ethically sourced diamonds are essential to the practices of the natural diamond industry. It means that products and services across the supply chain are obtained in an ethical way.
Ethical diamond recovery includes upholding labor rights, decent working conditions, no child labor, the existence of health and safety measures and importantly, strong business ethics with respect for local communities.
From large-scale diamond mining companies, like the members of Natural Diamond Council, to independent diamond retailers and designer brands creating diamond jewelry, everyone plays a role in ensuring the entire diamond value chain sources conflict-free diamonds and upholding the highest societal and environmental standards.
Key Facts about Ethically Sourced Diamonds:
- 85% of the world’s natural diamonds by volume and 95% by value come from large-scale mining companies—not to be confused with artisanal miners—located in geographically diverse locations like Canada, Botswana, and Namibia. These companies operate under stringent ethical and regulatory standards.
- Ethical mining practices are critical to these companies, who invest in detailed sustainability reports to ensure transparency. These ethical diamond companies operate with a high level of transparency and take responsibility for the societal and environmental impact of their mining practices, published in audited sustainability reports.
- Every purchase of a natural diamond supports an ethical diamond industry that values responsible and transparent business practices, while helping local communities to generate long-term sustainable development. Large-scale employment with fair wages is just one of the social benefits a diamond mine can bring.
- The diamond industry also generates significant socio-economic benefits, contributing over $16 billion annually and supporting millions of jobs worldwide, from mining to retail.
- The diamond industry is highly regulated to ensure ethical sourcing, with various organizations and certifications in place to monitor practices across the supply chain. These include strict adherence to environmental protection, fair working conditions, and human rights.
