Diamonds from the DRC: Kimberley Process Certification and Buyer Due Diligence

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a significant source of rough diamonds, which makes it an important origin for buyers – and a place where due diligence really matters. For anyone sourcing diamonds from the DRC, the protections that count are the Kimberley Process certification system and your own buyer due diligence. Together they are what separate a clean, documented purchase from one that exposes you to legal and reputational risk.

This guide explains how the Kimberley Process works, what it does and does not cover, and the checks a serious buyer should make. It is written from the perspective of a licensed operator sourcing minerals in the DRC. For the broader sourcing mindset, see our guide on conflict-free sourcing and how it protects buyers.

A note on scope: certification rules and participant statuses change. The guidance below is general and for information only – confirm current Kimberley Process requirements and your destination’s import rules with the relevant authorities and your own advisers before transacting.

Why due diligence matters for DRC diamonds

Diamonds are high-value, easy to transport and historically associated with conflict financing in some regions. That history is exactly why the international community built a certification system around rough diamonds – and why buyers who cannot evidence clean provenance can face seized shipments, banking friction and reputational damage. Sourcing diamonds from the DRC responsibly is not just ethical; it is practical risk management.

What the Kimberley Process is

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international initiative, launched in 2003, that aims to prevent “conflict diamonds” – rough diamonds used to finance armed conflict – from entering the legitimate market. It brings together participating governments, the diamond industry and civil society. The core rule is simple: participating countries only trade rough diamonds with other participants, and every shipment of rough diamonds must travel with a Kimberley Process certificate.

How Kimberley Process certification works

For rough diamonds, the KPCS sets out clear requirements that a compliant shipment follows:

• A Kimberley Process certificate – a government-validated, forgery-resistant document accompanying each shipment of rough diamonds, confirming it is conflict-free.
• Tamper-resistant packaging – rough diamonds are exported in sealed, secure containers.
• Participant-to-participant trade only – shipments move only between countries that are KPCS participants.
• Record-keeping – participants maintain records to support traceability.

For a buyer, the practical takeaway is to insist on a valid Kimberley Process certificate for rough diamonds and to confirm both origin and destination are KPCS participants.

What the Kimberley Process does not cover

The KPCS is essential but not complete, and serious buyers understand its limits. It applies to rough diamonds, not polished stones; it focuses specifically on conflict financing rather than every human-rights or environmental concern; and it relies on participant enforcement. This is why responsible buyers layer additional due diligence on top – including the diamond industry’s System of Warranties (a written warranty statement passed along the supply chain for both rough and polished diamonds) and their own checks on the supplier and chain of custody.

Rough vs polished diamonds

Most diamonds sourced at origin in the DRC are rough – uncut, unpolished stones – which is precisely what the Kimberley Process certificate governs. Polished diamonds, by contrast, are cut and finished, and are covered through the System of Warranties rather than a KP certificate. Knowing which you are buying determines which documentation applies, so be clear about it from the outset.

A buyer’s due-diligence checklist for DRC diamonds

• 1. Is the supplier a registered, licensed operator you can verify?
• 2. For rough diamonds, is there a valid Kimberley Process certificate, and are origin and destination KPCS participants?
• 3. Is a System of Warranties statement provided through the supply chain?
• 4. Can the supplier evidence chain of custody and responsible sourcing?
• 5. Are the stones independently verifiable (grading/inspection) before settlement?
• 6. Is the shipment documented, insured and tracked, and have you confirmed your destination’s import rules?

Documentation and responsible sourcing

A compliant diamond purchase rests on documentation: the Kimberley Process certificate for rough diamonds, a warranty statement, a commercial invoice, and evidence of legitimate origin and chain of custody. These mirror the responsible-sourcing discipline we apply across all our minerals – see our Responsible Mining page. Just as with gold, the documentation is what makes the asset bankable and resaleable, and protects you with your own bank, customs and regulators.

Red flags when buying DRC diamonds

• No Kimberley Process certificate for rough diamonds, or an inability to verify it.
• Origin or destination that is not a KPCS participant.
• No System of Warranties statement or chain-of-custody evidence.
• Refusal of independent grading or inspection before settlement.
• An unverifiable seller with no registration or named officers, or pressure to bypass documentation.

The same fraud-awareness principles apply as in any high-value trade – see our guide on how to spot trading scams.

How Congo Rare Minerals approaches diamonds

Congo Rare Minerals (Reg. No. CD 893220) sources diamonds at origin in the DRC with a documented chain of custody and due diligence aligned with responsible-sourcing standards, supplying both rough and polished stones with the appropriate documentation – Kimberley Process certification for rough diamonds and a warranty statement through the supply chain. Our emphasis is the same as with our gold: verifiable provenance and proper paperwork, not just assurances. You can review our operations on the About page, and enquire through our Contact page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an international system, launched in 2003, that aims to keep conflict diamonds out of the legitimate market by requiring rough diamonds to travel with a government-validated certificate and to be traded only between participating countries.

Do diamonds from the DRC come with a Kimberley Process certificate?

Rough diamonds exported through legitimate, KPCS-compliant channels travel with a Kimberley Process certificate. Always insist on a valid certificate for rough diamonds and confirm that both origin and destination are KPCS participants.

Does the Kimberley Process cover polished diamonds?

No. The KP certificate applies to rough diamonds. Polished diamonds are covered through the industry’s System of Warranties, a written warranty statement passed along the supply chain.

What is the System of Warranties?

It is a self-regulatory mechanism in which each buyer and seller of diamonds passes on a written warranty statement affirming the diamonds are from conflict-free sources, complementing the Kimberley Process for both rough and polished stones.

How do I verify a DRC diamond supplier?

Confirm the company’s registration and named officers, insist on a Kimberley Process certificate (for rough) and a warranty statement, require chain-of-custody evidence, and arrange independent grading or inspection before settlement.

Does Congo Rare Minerals supply diamonds?

Yes. We source rough and polished diamonds at origin in the DRC with documented chain of custody and the appropriate certification, alongside our gold and other minerals.