Rough uncut diamonds - before they are cut and polished - are required to be placed in tamper-resistant containers, accompanied by a government validated certificate. Each certificate is uniquely numbered and contains data describing the source and details of the shipments contents. As these diamonds travel throughout the Globe on their way to polishing centers, participating importing countries are required to turn back shipments of diamonds that do not have Kimberley Process Certificates, or are from countries which fail to subscribe to the Kimberley Process standards. Countries declining to participate in the Kimberley Process are effectively barred from the international diamond trade.
In addition to government rules and regulations, diamond and jewelry manufacturers and traders participating in the Kimberley Process must have strong internal controls to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the supply chain, and must carry out an annual audit of compliance. Kimberley Process participants only trade with other companies who themselves have met the requirements of the certification system.
