A Guide to Shopping for a Conflict-Free Diamond

You probably already know that you should only buy a diamond from a source that is in compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, an international system of verification and certification to prevent the sale of diamonds that may have been used to fund rebel movements seeking to undermine legitimate governments.

It’s not quite that easy, though. The process of tracing diamond origins and ensuring that diamonds are sustainable and conflict-free has long been a challenge for jewelers, retailers, and consumers. A diamond can change hands up to 30 times before it ends up in a piece of jewelry, so it’s not uncommon for conflict-free diamonds to be mixed with and sold alongside diamonds from conflict zones. Not to mention, just because a diamond is conflict free does not mean it was ethically sourced. This makes it nearly impossible to discern the ethical diamonds from the stones with a troubled past.

Most jewelers are not able to trace the origins of their diamonds, but Kwiat has a commitment to ethical sourcing and providing a clear lineage for each stone. This traceability ensures that your purchase benefits the local communities and environments where the diamonds are mined. Kwiat only uses responsibly sourced diamonds from conflict-free regions — Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Australia, and Canada — a critical distinction because diamonds from countries including Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Angola are often not conflict-free or ethically mined. With close partners in conflict-free zones throughout the diamond supply chain, Kwiat can prove the provenance of its natural diamonds and pass this information on to customers through the Mine to Shine™ program.

An engagement ring is an everlasting symbol of love and devotion, and you want its origin and journey to reflect that. At most jewelers, tracing a diamond’s path and ensuring that it was ethically mined and conflict-free is often impossible. But thanks to the innovative Mine to Shine program at Kwiat, you can feel confident that your diamond was sourced from a known mine and didn’t contribute to human rights abuses.

Mine to Shine allows you to trace a diamond’s journey from its origin as an ethically mined rough stone to a custom diamond ring of your dreams, all while following a transparent process that keeps you informed every step of the way. This focus on traceable and transparent diamond sourcing positively impacts diamond-producing communities that rely on revenue from ethical diamond mining practices.

Those looking to create a one-of-a-kind custom diamond engagement ring do not have to sacrifice ethical sourcing for a bespoke experience. In just four steps, Kwiat allows you to craft the ring of your dreams while supporting conflict-free diamond regions. The process is simple, whether you visit a Kwiat store, shop with an authorized retailer, or work remotely with our concierge:

• First, a diamond specialist at Kwiat will help you choose a conflict-free and ethically mined uncut stone from a known country of origin. Not every stone is suitable to be crafted into every shape, so your diamond specialist will help you select the uncut stone that will yield a perfectly cut diamond in the shape of your choice.
• Next, Kwiat will cut your diamond to the world’s highest standards, revealing its inner brilliance and beauty. Choose from one of seven iconic shapes, including the Kwiat Cushion, Kwiat Round, and Kwiat Radiant, all part of the Kwiat Tiara Diamond™ collection.
• Whether you have your heart set on an emerald-cut gold engagement ring, an oval diamond in a platinum setting, or something else, Kwiat will guide you through the ring design process as you choose the details that will make your diamond engagement ring unique. Kwiat designers will create a 3D rendering that shows your ring from every angle.
• Finally, master artisans in our New York City workshop will handcraft your setting in platinum or 18K gold, per your specifications, and mount your perfectly cut diamond. The final result: a stunning, one-of-a-kind ring with unparalleled beauty and brilliance.
• Through the Mine to Shine process, you will receive regular email updates documenting the journey of your diamond, showing you each step of the process via video, imaging, and 3D renderings.
• Don’t have time for a custom-made ring but still want a piece with ethical origins? Rather than follow the journey of your diamond, you may also choose to buy a cut diamond or a completed ring that has undergone the same process, and you will still receive a documented history of your Mine to Shine diamond.

When it comes to the 4Cs of diamonds — carat, color, clarity, and cut — a diamond’s cut is the most important factor in determining its beauty. Two diamonds of identical shape and carat weight may have different appearances based on their cut, as a diamond with a higher carat weight may not necessarily appear larger to the eye if cut improperly.

Kwiat places significant importance on the quality of the cut, offering a range of perfectly crafted shapes designed to enhance size perception and brilliance, rather than merely preserving carat weight. These are the Kwiat Tiara Diamonds, a collection that includes popular shapes like round, oval, emerald cut, radiant, and cushion, along with the exclusive ASHOKA® and Fred Leighton Round™ cuts, each precision-engineered to appear larger and shine brighter than standard cuts of comparable weight. Beyond aesthetic excellence, Kwiat Tiara Diamonds are also guaranteed to be conflict-free and ethically sourced, setting a benchmark for both beauty and ethical standards. You can learn more about Kwiat Tiara Diamonds here.

The benefits of buying ethically mined diamonds go far beyond ensuring your diamond was retrieved responsibly. Purchasing diamonds from regions devoted to conflict-free and ethical mining practices not only ensures that your investment is ethically sound but also contributes positively to the local communities where these diamonds originate. The majority of Kwiat diamonds, for instance, are sourced from Botswana — a country where diamonds account for 25% of the GDP and 80% of proceeds are reinvested into the community. This revenue supports critical social services such as free educational programs and healthcare, contributes to infrastructure development, and aids in protecting vital habitats. A few examples: diamond revenues provide free schooling for more than 500,000 children and have protected more than 722 square miles of critical habitats in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.

Kwiat’s dedication to giving back is demonstrated through charitable initiatives as well. With every sale of a Kwiat Tiara Diamond, the company makes a donation to charity: water to provide families in need with clean drinking water.