What Are Conflict-Free Materials in Jewelry Industry?

In this history of mining, there have always been certain governments that profit off miners to fund their wartime operations. The minerals extracted from these countries are unknowingly used by manufacturers worldwide for everyday use.

Conflict-free materials ensure that the materials used in producing your favorite jewels do not come from countries profiting off senseless massacres. We will delve more into the history of conflict-free materials and how they benefit the countries that produce them. We will also discuss how governments and private entities audit the materials sold to jewelers worldwide.

Key Materials Involved in Conflict-Free Sourcing

Africa has been home to various minerals, metals, and precious stones, and the revenue from mining these items is used for warmongering. There are, however, key materials that funded these warlords more than others. These materials are diamond, gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten.

The five materials mentioned aren’t only used in jewelry, they are also prominent items in other aspects of life like electronics. Tungsten, tantalum, and gold are used in various electronics and computer parts while diamond and tin are used for tools and wares.

Historical Context of Conflict Materials

Certain African countries have been undergoing and enduring bloody civil wars since the 1990s. Since then, the different factions involved have conducted numerous war crimes like rapes and mass killings. These factions are being funded by corruption and the sale of materials like diamonds and tungsten.

One of the most infamous incidents of this is the blood diamond phenomenon. Warlords in Siera Leone and the Congo have used their civilian citizens to mine diamonds in exchange for money. The money earned from the sale of these diamonds is then used to fund their terroristic activities.

On August 12, 2012, the US Securities and Exchange Commission decided that something needed to be done to stop funding war profiteers. Section 15 of the Dodd-Frank Act has been created to audit items ensuring no conflict materials are used in manufacturing said items.

This law ensures that the dollars used in the extraction of minerals from the Congo and adjacent countries aren’t funding warlords. The Congo and other African countries have a history of funding their respective militaries using revenues from mining these minerals. Funds that their respective governments could have used instead to improve the lives of their constituents.

Why Do Jewelry Brands Go After Conflict-Free Materials?

Most jewelry brands go after conflict-free materials for ethical and environmental reasons. Mining and buying materials from conflict-free countries not only serves as a philanthropic act, but these acts also prevent giving warlords money.

Going after conflict-free materials is also a way to promote and use sustainable jewelry. The miners and the host country’s government oversee the operations, ensuring that the employees are in a safe and sustainable environment.

How To Identify Conflict-Free Materials?

Numerous countries and organizations have devised plans, laws, and methods for identifying and auditing the materials used in manufacturing ornaments. Section 15 of the Dodd-Frank Act from earlier is one of them, guaranteeing the sale of conflict materials is prevented from the start.

The SEC requires jewelers and other manufacturers who use the five key materials to disclose what countries their materials come from. The jewelers then report to the SEC if the materials are sourced from the covered countries.

The Kimberley Process is an international entity that assists various governments in auditing key minerals and materials used by manufacturers. The KP specializes in identifying, auditing, and preventing the mining and sale of blood diamonds to non-participant countries. Currently, the KP has fifty-nine countries participating as members of said entity.

The private sector also does its part in preventing the mining and sale of precious metals and gems from conflict areas. Governing bodies such as the Responsible Jewellery Council and the Responsible Minerals Initiative also do audits, ensuring transparency amongst jewelers and manufacturers.?

These independent audits from the government and the private sector ensure transparency amongst member jewelers and manufacturers. It also advocates the manufacture, sale, and use of sustainable jewelry by guaranteeing that the materials are produced ethically.

The Benefits Of Using Conflict-Free Materials

Using conflict-free materials doesn’t just benefit jewelers and the countries sourcing the key materials, but the benefits also affect the consumer. For the jewelers, and in today’s political climate, not using conflict materials raises their reputation and increases consumer trust in the company.?

Market demand for sustainable jewelry is rapidly soaring and jewelers can capitalize on the trend by using these materials for their ornaments. This also promotes the manufacture and use of sustainable jewelry, encouraging other companies to do the same.

The countries that source these ethical minerals benefit from the financial help the jewelers provide by buying said minerals. They can also use this to promote their respective tourism programs, earning more money without sponsoring war crimes.

Consumers benefit from this too by helping stop warlords from profiting from their purchases. They also benefit from these jewels as these conflict-free items are often made with sustainability as one of their main goals. The quality of these items also saves them from spending more money on trips to the jewelry store.

A Commitment to Conflict-Free Material Sourcing

To summarize, conflict-free materials are metals and minerals sourced from countries not involved in numerous civil wars. Jewelers and governments establish certain entities to ensure that the materials used in creating ornaments do not support ongoing civil conflicts. These materials also promote the use and manufacture of sustainable jewelry by not supporting unethical mining practices.

By purchasing jewelry manufactured using conflict-free materials, you are not only promoting the use of sustainable jewelry. You are also contributing to ending the longstanding civil wars in the DRC and adjacent countries.

So if you’re looking into doing something for the good of the world and want to offer fabulous jewelry pieces at the same time? Opt for ornaments made from conflict-free and sustainable materials. Not only can you be the go-to brand in the market, but also contribute to stopping various civil wars in African countries.

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