Once formed, a diamond must survive for a long period of time (Thousands or Millions of years!), until it finds itself flowing through a volcanic pipe. Many diamonds disintegrate during their journey. In addition, 80% of diamonds that managed to survive and reach the surface are not of gem quality, and are used for industrial purposes. Once a Kimberlite mine is discovered, diamond mining companies such as De Beers begin negotiations with the country it is found in, in order to obtain the rights to mine and extract the diamonds.
After ‘Gem Quality’ diamonds are found, ‘Kimberlite Certificates’ combined with the official government seal and exporting documents are produced, to ensure that the diamonds originated from a ‘Conflict Free’ country. Enslavement, war, propaganda and other political schemes were not involved in the mining process or the trading and expediting of the diamonds.