Question retailers about a diamond's origin before you buy was the message to Irish consumers at the launch yesterday of an information leaflet about shopping for diamonds.
Produced by the Sierra Leone Ireland Partnership (Slip) to mark the 45th anniversary of the country's independence, Ethical Diamonds cautions potential purchasers against "conflict" or "blood diamonds". These are used to fuel conflicts like the brutal 10-year war in Sierra Leone, where illicit diamond smuggling is still rampant.
The leaflet advises consumers to ask for the Kimberley Process Certificate, a diamond "passport" which accompanies all official shipments of rough uncut diamonds from the mines.
The average spend on a diamond engagement ring in Ireland is now about €4,000, more than double the price 10 years ago.
At the launch, Martin Rowan of the Ireland partnership group said that some $200 million worth of diamonds were smuggled out every year from Sierra Leone, depriving the country, the second poorest in the world, of much-needed revenue.
"We urge consumers in Ireland to support an ethical diamond trade in Sierra Leone which would enable miners and their communities to benefit from the sale of the diamonds they dig up with their own hands."
A recent survey in the UK found that only l8 per cent of jewellery stores operated any system of trade assurances.
"As a farmer, traceability should be as important as it is in the meat trade," he said.
Gerard Appleby of Appleby Jewellers, the largest retailer of diamonds in Ireland, said that building a secure trading area in Sierra Leone could attract international diamond dealers and transform the country's fortunes.
"Diamonds bought at the pitface are being sold for 5 per cent of their value. With a secure environment for legitimate diamond trading, that figure could be 95 per cent and would give true value to Sierra Leone."
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Conor Lenihan, who launched the leaflet and who has recently returned from an official visit to Sierra Leone and Liberia, said the origin and traceability of diamonds were as important as in the food area.
Irish assistance to Sierra Leone at more than €l4 million was greater than the revenue from diamonds in the country.
He also confirmed that Sierra Leone and Malawi would be two of the four new Irish aid programme countries to be announced in July's White Paper.
Ethical Diamonds is available on line at www.trocaire.ie or www.appleby.ie