Traditionally, the local jeweler has been the arbitrator of the consumer's knowledge and access to diamonds. Local jewelers typically carried large inventories of diamonds to satisfy consumer demand. The resulting carrying costs of the inventory had to be reflected in the diamonds price. However, the emergence of the World Wide Web has caused a paradigm shift in the way diamonds have become available to consumers. The Internet has given online merchants the ability to sell diamonds directly to consumers without having to own the diamonds beforehand, resulting in the availability of diamonds at significantly lower prices than was traditionally the case when such sales were only made through local jewelry stores. It is therefore undeniable that buying online is the most cost effective way to own a diamond. But how does a consumer know who to trust online? That's where VIDPA comes in!
Sourcing and Price
VIDPA member web sites act as portals for manufacturers and wholesalers to sell their diamond inventory directly to consumers, and VIDPA Members simply take a cut when a transaction is made. Buying from a certified VIDPA Member web site means that the selection of diamonds are sourced from around the world from some of the largest diamond cutters and manufacturers, and that the diamonds are Conflict Free. VIDPA certification means that the list of diamonds offered for sale has been carefully filtered from over 250,000 available diamonds on the world markets to display only the most beautiful diamonds, those with the best combination of cut, color and clarity, and in almost any size. VIDPA certification means that the diamonds are being sourced directly from cutters and manufacturers throughout the world, and in sufficient quantity from each source to guarantee the best possible prices. VIDPA members are committed to offering better diamonds at better prices, they invite you to shop and compare. VIDPA members are so confident that nobody else can sell you a more beautiful diamond at a better price than they offer a Price Guarantee.
Service
VIDPA Certification assures consumers that when shopping for a diamond, they will be serviced by people who have made it their career to know about diamonds and jewelry. All VIDPA Members have at least one member that has passed the industry standard-setting Diamond course offered by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). GIA graduates have the knowledge it takes to educate consumers about diamonds. That way, you will know exactly what you are getting and feel confident about your purchase.
Be Careful
Many online websites claim to have the best prices on diamonds. Be especially cautious with those that run so-called "sales" on diamonds and advertise them at unbelievably low prices or at huge discounts, because "If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is." Nobody sells a diamond for less than what it is worth. So, when see diamonds offered at "50% or 75% off, you have to ask, "50% or 75% off of what?"
Independent Laboratory Certification
The best way to make sure you are getting a quality diamond is to buy a diamond with an independent grading certificate from a recognized gemological laboratory. All VIDPA certified web sites offer certificates from several different diamond labs that independently grade the diamonds to certify their color, clarity, proportions (cut) and carat weight. The labs that perform the grading are completely objective when they determine the color, clarity, proportions (cut) and carat weight of a diamond. And because they have no connection to any of the companies that sell the diamonds, they have no vested interest in the price that is assigned to a diamond. On the other hand, stores that grade their own diamonds could be biased and might over-grade the diamond in order to charge more for it. That is why independent grading is so important.
Conflict Free Statement
VIDPA members are committed to compliance with both the Kimberly Process and to System of Warranties which together insures that diamonds are bought and sold only from legitimate sources and not through any illegal practices such as conflict diamonds.
The Problem of Conflict Diamonds
One of the most important challenges the jewelry industry faces is conflict diamonds. Sometimes referred to as "blood diamonds," conflict diamonds are seized in war-torn areas to fund anti-government military actions. These diamonds are the currency of fighters opposed to legitimate governments - those recognized by the UN. International security policies, such as the Kimberley Process and the System of Warranties, have succeeded in reducing conflict diamonds to less than 1% of the world's diamond supply.
What is the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process, implemented by the U.N. in 2002, promotes the trading of diamonds from legitimate sources. Each shipment of rough diamonds transported across an international border must be in a tamper-proof container accompanied by a government-validated certificate assuring it originated from conflict-free sources. Shipments can only be exported to a participating country. Certificates must be resistant to forgery, uniquely numbered and dated with a description of contents. Today, 74 governments are bound by the Kimberley Process, ensuring that more than 99% of the world's diamonds are certified from conflict-free sources.
For further information, please read the White House Statement on the passage of this law.
What is the System of Warranties?
To provide consumers with even greater confidence, the World Diamond Council has extended the Kimberley Process with a "System of Warranties" (SOW), under which every buyer and seller of polished diamonds and diamond jewelry must state on all invoices that the diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources and are not involved in funding conflict. This is your protection that the diamonds you have been sold are legitimately sourced.
Diamonds Build a Better World
While it is important to recognize our commitment to responsible trading practices, it is equally so to celebrate the many economic benefits that diamonds bring to producer nations in Africa and beyond. Diamond mining and manufacturing create livelihoods for millions of people, making significant contributions toward prosperity around the world. The revenue generated by the diamond industry not only increases the standard of living in many developing nations, but also funds essential government services such as health and education.
