Is My Diamond Conflict-Free? The Kimberley Process Explained

The Kimberley Process is an international scheme, in place since 2003, under which every shipment of rough diamonds traded between member countries must travel with a government certificate stating that the diamonds are conflict-free. As polished diamonds move through the trade, sellers add a written warranty statement on their invoices confirming the diamonds come from legitimate sources. A grading report, on the other hand, describes a diamond’s quality and confirms it is natural, but does not name the mine it came from.

What does “conflict-free” mean?

“Conflict diamonds”, sometimes called blood diamonds, are rough diamonds that were sold to pay for armed rebellion against recognised governments. In the late 1990s this trade caused great harm in parts of Africa, and the jewellery world, governments and civil groups came together to stop it. A conflict-free diamond is one that has not been used to fund such conflict.

How does the Kimberley Process work?

The scheme works at the border between countries:

1. Member countries only. Rough diamonds may be imported and exported only between countries that belong to the scheme. India is a member, and a large share of the world’s rough diamonds are cut and polished in Surat.
2. A certificate with every shipment. Each parcel of rough diamonds crossing a border carries a Kimberley Process certificate issued by the exporting country’s government.
3. Sealed and checked. Shipments travel in tamper-resistant containers, and the importing country checks the certificate before accepting them.
4. National controls. Each member country keeps its own rules and records for the diamond trade within its borders.

What happens after the diamond is cut?

Once rough diamonds are cut and polished, they no longer travel in single parcels with one certificate. To keep the assurance going, the trade uses a system of warranties: each seller of rough or polished diamonds, and of jewellery containing them, writes a statement on the invoice that the diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict, in line with the Kimberley Process. Each buyer in the chain receives that statement and passes it on.

What can a grading report tell me, and what can it not?

A grading report from a laboratory such as IGI, EGL or TGL is about the stone itself. It records the carat weight, cut, colour and clarity, and states whether the diamond is natural. At Vaishnavi Jewels every solitaire is laser-inscribed with its report number, so you can match the stone to its report and check the report on the laboratory’s website.

What a grading report does not do is trace a diamond back to a mine or a country. That assurance comes from the Kimberley Process and the warranty statements along the trade. Read more about the stone itself on our natural diamond jewellery page.

What should I ask when I buy?

You do not need to be an expert to buy with confidence. Ask:

• Is there a warranty statement about legitimate, conflict-free sources on the invoice?
• Does the solitaire have a grading report, and does the laser inscription on the stone match the report number?
• Is the gold BIS HUID hallmarked? You can check the code in the BIS Care app.
• Is everything itemised on the bill: the gold weight, the diamond weight and quality, and the report number?

A jeweller who is comfortable answering each of these openly is one you can trust. Our guide on how to choose a trustworthy jeweller in Surat lists more checks.

Why does this matter in Surat?

Surat is one of the main places where rough diamonds are cut and polished before they are set into jewellery, so the diamond trade here works closely with these rules every day. For a buyer, the practical point is simple: a natural diamond reaches a jewellery counter after passing through miners, traders, cutters and manufacturers, and the assurance about its source travels with it on paper at each step. That is why the invoice, the warranty statement and the grading report all matter together. None of them alone answers every question, but together they give you a clear record of what you bought, how it was graded and how it was traded. Keep all three safely with your jewellery.

Frequently asked questions

Does a diamond certificate prove it is conflict-free?

No. A grading report describes the diamond’s quality and confirms it is natural, but not where it was mined. Conflict-free assurance comes from the Kimberley Process and the warranty statements on trade invoices.

Is the Kimberley Process the same as a grading report?

No. The Kimberley Process is a government scheme for rough diamonds crossing borders, while a grading report is issued by a laboratory for one polished diamond. They answer different questions, so it helps to know about both.

Can I check my diamond’s grading report myself?

Yes. Every Vaishnavi solitaire is laser-inscribed with its report number, which you can see under a loupe and enter on the laboratory’s website. Our FAQ explains the steps.

For any question about a diamond’s papers, WhatsApp us on +91 99980 43886, or book a visit to our Parle Point showroom.