THE CANADIAN DIAMOND CODE OF CONDUCT
CANADIAN DIAMONDS
Canadian diamonds are desirable because of their great attributes. Canadian diamonds are being mined in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. They are mined to the highest environmental standards in the world; they have provided social benefits to the northern communities and have brought about important economic prosperity to their region. Canadian diamonds meet the requirements of the Kimberley Process and many of them can be traced back to the mine of origin.
The Code establishes a minimum standard based on records and a chain of warranties required to validate a Canadian diamond claim. Retailers who abide by the Code demonstrate to consumers their commitment to ensure the authenticity of Canadian diamond claims. The Code allows Canadian diamonds to be traced from the Canadian mine to the diamond jewellery retailer, providing consumers with a method to authenticate Canadian diamonds sold by a Code member.
When buying a Canadian diamond you should ask for your polished diamond certificate/report and an invoice which contains the following information:
- The polished diamond description
- A unique Diamond Identification Number (DIN);
- A statement of certification that the polished diamond(s) is of Canadian origin and address of the issuer of the certificate/report;
- The retailer’s return policy;
- The date of purchase; and
- The name and address of the retailer.
THE CANADIAN DIAMOND CODE OF CONDUCT – THE CODE (REVISED 2013)
Canadian diamond stakeholders are committed to ensure that diamonds represented as Canadian can be authenticated to protect themselves against deceptive practices that may erode consumer confidence and at the same time ensure compliance with the Competition Act. The Voluntary Code of Conduct for Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims (“the Code”) stems from the Competition Bureau’s Enforcement Policy on the Marketing of Canadian Diamonds in respect of when diamonds can be represented as “Canadian” without violating the false or misleading claims provisions of the Competition Act. It takes into account the Enforcement Guidelines relating to “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” Claims published by the Bureau.
The Code evolved from the collaborative efforts of a broad cross section of the industry including the diamond mining sector, cutters and polishers, retailers, the Canadian Jewellers Association and Jewellers Vigilance Canada as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other government stakeholders. This Code establishes a minimum standard required to validate a Canadian Diamond claim based on a paper trail and a chain of warranties, which was found to be the most appropriate system to validate claims on the origin of Canadian diamonds.