De Beers clarifies points in column

The story, “Diamond rebates deflect attention off of trade issues,” (Consumer Confidential, Jan. 27) characterizes conflict diamonds as an issue that has continued unabated, and that consumers could be at considerable risk of purchasing such a diamond. (So-called blood diamonds come from conflict zones and end up funding civil wars and similar actions.)

In the late 1990s, conflict diamonds accounted for less than 4% of world diamond production.

Today, with the help of the Kimberley Process -- a certification scheme -- 99.8% of the world’s diamonds are certified as conflict free. At De Beers we have a strict “zero tolerance” policy toward conflict diamonds.

As a company that itself operates two diamond mines in Canada, we feel strongly that asserting that Canadian diamonds are a clear alternative to conflict diamonds from Africa is misinformed and misleading.

Lastly, it is a common misperception that De Beers has a stockpile of diamonds. In the late 1990s, De Beers significantly reduced its inventory to no more than the working levels needed to maintain ongoing operations. In our business model, “stockpiling” is simply not economically sensible.

Lynette Gould

Media Manager

De Beers, London