Conflict diamonds | Fameo Jewellery Boutique

Fameo policy about conflict diamonds

Today, an illegal trade exists within the diamond industry whereby the profits generated by the mining of diamonds, predominantly in 3rd world countries, have been used to fund wars and terrorist activity. These are known as "conflict diamonds" or "blood diamonds". They have been responsible for funding recent conflicts in Africa, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of people. During these conflicts, profits from the illegal trade in diamonds, worth billions of dollars, were used by warlords and rebels to buy arms. An estimated 3.7 million people have died in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone in conflicts fuelled by diamonds.

StopBloodDiamonds.org Registered Jeweler

Fameo Ltd participates in a voluntary program of self-regulation to complement the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) created by the governments of nations involved in the diamond trade. This program is designed to prevent conflict and illicit diamonds from entering the international mainstream diamond trade. We only deal with the most honest and reputable diamond suppliers that provide us with untreated, conflict-free, and natural diamonds of the highest quality. These suppliers and diamond producers must legally adhere to the Kimberley Process, which is composed of 43 Participants, including the United Kingdom and the European Community. Under the Kimberley Process, diamond-producing countries certify that diamonds have been mined and sold through legitimate channels.

In conjunction with the jewellery industry´s adoption of KPCS in January 2003, Fameo revised its Vendor Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics to include the Kimberley Process chain of warranties. The revised code specifically requires all Fameo diamond vendors to guarantee that the diamonds they provide to Fameo are conflict free. Since the implementation of the revised code, Fameo has consistently received the following warranty from Fameo vendors supplying diamonds:

For any product fabricated from rough diamonds mined from January 1, 2003 onward, the seller warrants that the diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and are in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The seller hereby guarantees that the diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds.

For any product fabricated from rough diamonds mined prior to January 1, 2003, the seller warrants that conflict diamonds will not be knowingly sold and that, to the best of their ability, will undertake reasonable measures to help prevent the sale of conflict diamonds in this country.

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Fameo conflict diamond practices

Fameo Ltd supports the Kimberly Process, which was created by all countries with significant involvement in the diamond trade as well as leading industry associations in order to combat the sale of conflict diamonds.

All Fameo invoices for the sale of diamonds and jewellery containing diamonds contains a written guarantee that diamonds are conflict free:"The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The undersigned hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds." We also keep records of the warranty invoices given and received and have these audited and reconciled every year by our own auditors.

All Fameo vendors are required to incorporate a warranty in the form recommended by the Kimberley Process Certification System into each invoice of diamonds submitted to us. This warranty assures us that the vendor vouches for the legitimacy of the merchandise and that the vendor, in turn, has required the same warranty from its source of merchandise. We regularly review vendor invoices for compliance with this warranty requirement.

Fameo require all its diamond vendors to provide the proof of warranty from their sources of merchandise upon request. If a vendor refuses to guarantee that their diamonds are conflict-free or if Fameo have reason to believe that their merchandise came from questionable sources, Fameo will refuse to transact business with that vendor.

Fameo Ltd has amended its systems, procedures and documentation to take account of the Kimberley Process and trained sales associates about this program so that Fameo customers have confidence that the diamonds and diamond jewellery sold at Fameo Online Jewellery Boutique are "conflict free".

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The Government Diamond Office

Responsibility for implementation of the Kimberley Process in the UK rests with newly established Government Diamond Office (GDO), which is part of the Foreign Office based in Whitehall. The European Community is a participant in the scheme and the Government Diamond Office issues Kimberley Process certificates in the UK. Along with HM Customs and Excise, it is also responsible for ensuring that imports fulfill the necessary requirements. Any company or individual involved in the rough diamond trade within the UK should be in touch with the office to make sure their business is Kimberley compliant. It is also able to advise on the self regulation scheme implemented by the industry. Queries should be directed to:

Government Diamond Office
United Nations Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London
SW1A 2AH

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