In a powerful critique, Martin Rapaport, a leading voice in the diamond industry, has called for an overhaul of how diamonds are sourced and certified. He asserts that the Kimberley Process (KP), often seen as the standard for ethical diamond sourcing, has failed to protect against the trade of blood diamonds and has become a tool for political and economic manipulation.
Exposing the Flaws of the Kimberley Process
Rapaport argues that the KP has lost credibility by enabling the certification of diamonds linked to human rights abuses and terrorist funding. He highlights cases like:
- The certification of diamonds sourced by the Wagner Group, despite their connections to conflict zones.
- The U.S. lifting sanctions on Zimbabwe, motivated by geopolitical concerns about China’s influence over Zimbabwe’s critical mineral resources.
“The KP is a false flag, misrepresenting the legitimacy of the diamonds we trade,” Rapaport states, emphasizing that the diamond industry cannot rely on governments to ensure ethical practices.
The Role of Politics and Sanctions
Rapaport also criticizes the European Union (EU) and Group of Seven (G7) sanctions for prioritizing national interests over ethical diamond sourcing. He points to Belgium’s use of the KP and G7 sanctions to secure its position as a global diamond trading hub, describing it as a power grab detrimental to producers, manufacturers, and consumers.
“Governments operate to protect their national interests, which often clash with the industry’s need for ethical and responsible trade,” he asserts.
A New Standard for Ethical Sourcing
Rapaport calls on the diamond trade to take control of its destiny by establishing independent standards for ethical sourcing. He proposes:
- Honest source certification: Utilizing technologies like blockchain for diamond tracing and transparent legitimacy.
- Excluding bad diamonds: Removing diamonds linked to human rights abuses, terrorism, or money laundering from the supply chain.
- Social responsibility marketing: Adding value to diamonds by clearly communicating the level of ethical practices involved in their production.
“The trade must address consumers’ desire to buy diamonds that make the world a better place. Social responsibility competition will drive demand and higher prices,” Rapaport explains.
The Bigger Picture: Diamonds as a Force for Good
Rapaport concludes with a philosophical reflection, emphasizing the moral responsibility of the diamond industry to bridge the gap between the world’s poorest diamond producers and the wealthiest consumers.
“There is a reason G-d gave diamonds to the poorest people in the world and made the richest desire them. Bridging that gap is ‘Tikun Olam’ — fixing the world. That is the reason the diamond trade exists.”