JCK Online
In mid-November, the Kimberley Process (KP) lifted its embargo against the Central African Republic (CAR); there’s a good backgrounder here. In this special guest editorial, Brad Brooks-Rubin — who has worked for the U.S. government, industry associations, and a nongovernmental organization (NGO) — gives his view on what this means for the certification scheme’s future.
Recently I walked into a jewelry store and asked about blood diamonds. The salesperson, leaning on their training, talked to me about the Kimberley Process certification scheme. Per the standard industry talking points, I was told that 99% of diamonds are conflict-free and that the KP helps support local development in diamond-mining countries.
No disrespect to the salesperson, but the industry, and governments that support it, could better connect with consumers on issues they care about by redirecting the money they are now wasting propping up the outdated KP, and focusing those funds on what the modern consumer needs to know in order to be persuaded to buy more demonstrably ethical natural diamonds.
For the rest of this column: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/kimberley-process-failed-job/