Kimberley Process

The Kimberley Process (KP) is both an intergovernmental forum and a certification system. Its stated aim is to keep "conflict diamonds" out of legitimate trade. Its own definition of those is narrow: rough diamonds used by rebel movements, or their allies, to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments.

The certification scheme was launched in November 2002 and came into force in 2003. As of October 2026, the KP lists 60 participants representing 86 countries, with the European Union counted as one participant, and says they account for about 99.8 per cent of the world's rough diamond production. India holds the chair in 2026. Participants commit to four things: enforce import and export controls, exchange accurate statistics, trade rough diamonds only with other participants, and accompany every export with a valid KP certificate.

Through the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act (S.C. 2002, c. 25), administered by the Minister of Natural Resources. The Act defines a rough diamond as one that is unsorted, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted. As of October 2026, the Act's main rules are:

• Exports of rough diamonds must be in a container that meets the regulations and be accompanied by a Canadian Certificate.
• Imports must be in a compliant container and arrive with a Kimberley Process certificate that a participant issued, has not invalidated and that contains accurate information.
• Forging or altering a Canadian Certificate, giving false or misleading information in an application for one, and interfering with an inspector are offences. The penalty is up to 10 years in prison on indictment, or a fine of up to $25,000, up to 12 months in prison, or both, on summary conviction.

For Canadian diamonds more broadly, see Canadian diamonds.

No. The certificates travel with rough diamonds between participating countries. A polished stone, a ring or a bracelet is not a rough diamond, so there is no KP certificate in the box. What you can receive for a polished stone is an independent grading report, which records the shape, weight and 4Cs, and a laser inscription that ties the stone to that report. Neither one is a statement about where the stone was mined.

A lab-grown diamond is made rather than mined, so for one of those the useful questions are about the producer and the report.

The narrowness of the definition is the main criticism. Human Rights Watch argues that the KP defines conflict diamonds too narrowly, as stones used by rebel groups to finance wars against legitimate governments, and urges it to address human rights abuses whoever commits them, including governments. Global Witness argues that the links between diamonds and abuse will only be fully broken when all companies in the trade change their behaviour.

So be careful with the label "conflict-free". It is a claim a seller makes, and the Kimberley Process does not certify it for a finished ring. Ask the seller what the statement rests on: the company's own supplier checks, a paper trail, or the KP alone, and ask for it in writing. You can ask these questions while looking at engagement rings, in a showroom or in the design studio, and learn more about natural diamonds first if that helps.