In the world of fine jewelry, every detail holds meaning. From the cut of a diamond to the intent behind a design, transparency and ethical sourcing are as important as the sparkle itself. One of the most critical efforts in global diamond ethics is the Kimberley Process—a certification scheme created to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was established in 2003, following global outrage over “blood diamonds”—rough diamonds used by rebel movements to fund wars against governments, particularly in parts of Africa. The name comes from Kimberley, South Africa, where the initiative began.

The goal? To ensure that the diamonds reaching the global market are conflict-free.Over 80 countries now participate in the Kimberley Process, agreeing to rigorous documentation, controls, and checks to trace rough diamonds from mine to export.

At its core, the Kimberley Process certifies that rough diamonds are not financing armed conflict. Participating countries can only trade diamonds with other member countries and must adhere to strict export/import protocols. But it's important to understand its limits:

           - It only applies to rough diamonds, not polished or set stones.

           - It defines “conflict diamonds” narrowly—only those funding rebel violence, not stones linked to human rights                          abuses or environmental harm.

            - It does not regulate labor conditions, child labor, or environmental impact in mining communities.

In short: the Kimberley Process is an essential first step, but not the whole picture.

Despite its limitations, the Kimberley Process brings vital structure and accountability to the global diamond trade. It helped reduce the share of conflict diamonds in the market from approximately 15% in the 1990s to under 1% today
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For jewelers and customers who care about ethical sourcing, it's one of several tools used to ensure peace of mind—and peace in practice.

At Hiddenspace Jewelry, we work only with trusted suppliers who follow the Kimberley Process and go beyond it: prioritizing lab-grown stones, ethical mines, and transparency across the supply chain.

When purchasing diamond jewelry, here are a few ways to ensure ethical sourcing:
Ask if your jeweler uses Kimberley Process–certified diamonds

              - Consider lab-grown diamonds, which offer zero conflict risk and a smaller environmental footprint
              - Look for brands that emphasize traceability and third-party certifications (like SCS Global or RJC)
              - Research your jeweler’s values and sourcing policies

You deserve to know where your stone comes from—and what it stands for. “At Hiddenspace, every stone is sourced with integrity—from mine to meaning.