Did you know that some diamonds have helped fund devastating civil wars in Africa, destroying the lives of millions?

As a customer, you can really make a difference and help make sure the diamond industry is keeping its promises to end the trade in conflict diamonds.

Conflict diamonds are those sold in order to fund armed conflict and civil war. Profits from the trade in conflict diamonds, worth billions of dollars, were used by warlords and rebels to buy arms during the devastating wars in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sierra Leone.

Diamonds mined in rebel-held areas in Cote d'Ivoire, a West African country in the midst of a volatile conflict, are reaching the international diamond market. Conflict diamonds from Liberia are also being smuggled into neighboring countries and exported as part of the legitimate diamond trade.

In 2003, an international certification scheme called the Kimberley Process was launched, making it illegal to trade in conflict diamonds. A Kimberley Process certificate, guaranteeing diamonds as conflict-free, accompanies all official shipments of rough diamonds to and from participating countries.

All invoices for the sale of diamonds and jewelry containing diamonds should now include a written guarantee that states they are conflict-free.

When shopping for diamond jewelry, you can ask the salesperson four questions to find out what they are doing to help prevent the trade in conflict diamonds

How can I be sure that none of your jewelry contains conflict diamonds?

Do you know where the diamonds you sell come from?

Can I see a copy of your company's policy on conflict diamonds?

Can you show me a written guarantee from your diamond suppliers stating that your diamonds are conflict-free?

Make sure the diamond industry gets the message that the only diamonds people want to buy are conflict-free.

For information on recent developments in the conflict diamonds trade, survey results, and the Kimberley Process visit:

www.globalwitness.org/buyconflictfree

www.amnestyusa.org/buyconflictfree

www.kimberleyprocess.com