Origin of diamonds may be certified

Gem-quality diamonds entering the United States (US) may have to accompanied by a certificate stating where they were mined, according to the terms of a new bill introduced in the US Congress this week.

According to media reports, the idea behind the proposed law is to let US consumers know whether they may be buying diamonds that may have been traded illegally to finance organisations such as the UNITA rebel movement or factions in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Reports said that the bill’s author, Congressman Tony Hall, hopes to discuss his plan with the De Beers in London next months. “American buy 65 percent of the gem quality diamonds sold world-wide,” he said. Hall added that his approach would protect legitimate producers such as Botswana and South Africa.