Martin Rapaport, a leading voice in the diamond industry, has issued a scathing critique of the Kimberley Process (KP), accusing it of enabling blood diamonds under the guise of ethical certification. He also calls for the diamond trade to adopt independent standards for responsible sourcing.
The Failures of the Kimberley Process
Rapaport denounces the KP as a politically driven mechanism that prioritizes national interests over ethical accountability. “The KP misrepresents itself as a certifier of ethical diamond sourcing while supporting the certification of blood diamonds as legitimate,” he argues.
He points to examples like:
- The certification of diamonds linked to the Wagner Group, known for human rights violations.
- The U.S. lifting sanctions on Zimbabwe to counter China’s exclusive access to critical minerals.
“The interests of governments and the diamond trade are not aligned,” he states. “Governments cannot be trusted to ensure the legitimacy of diamonds.”
A Call for Change
Rapaport advocates for the diamond industry to:
- Establish independent ethical standards.
- Use blockchain technology and diamond tracing to ensure transparent sourcing.
- Focus on marketing “good diamonds” that contribute to social responsibility, while excluding those tied to abuses like terrorism and money laundering.
Social Responsibility: The Key to Value
“The diamond trade must add value to diamonds by marketing their social responsibility,” Rapaport says. He believes consumer demand for ethically sourced diamonds will drive higher prices and better practices.
“The diamond trade exists to bridge the gap between the world’s poorest and wealthiest,” he adds. “That mission is about more than profit—it’s about ‘Tikun Olam,’ fixing the world.”