The De Beers Code of Origin is a trusted source program that reflects De Beers’ deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility, so you can feel proud of your diamond and the opportunities it has created. Each diamond has a unique customized code providing assurance that it is natural and conflict-free, and was discovered by De Beers in Botswana, Canada, Namibia, or South Africa. This code is an inscription on your diamond that is invisible to the naked eye.
De Beers’ Commitment
In a multitude of ways, from education and jobs to healthcare and wildlife conservation, the diamonds discovered by De Beers make a significant contribution to the people and places where they are found. Through Building Forever, De Beers has made a commitment to ensuring these positive impacts are sustained well beyond the discovery of their last diamond. It is this belief and mission that sits at the heart of De Beers.
The De Beers Code of Origin provides assurance that your diamond:
Is a natural diamond, discovered by De Beers
Was discovered in Botswana, Canada, Namibia, or South Africa, where it has helped provide jobs, healthcare and education, with a particular focus on programs supporting women and girls
Is conflict-free and meets De Beers’ industry-leading ethical standards
Has helped protect the planet through wildlife conservation and De Beers’ commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030
Why choose natural diamonds
Diamonds with the De Beers Code of Origin offer substantial economic and social benefits for the countries where they are discovered. It’s De Beers’ mission to work in partnership with their host countries to leave a positive, lasting impact long after they’ve discovered their last diamond. The natural diamond industry generates around £12 billion in net socioeconomic and environmental benefits annually, 60% of which are retained locally and benefit communities both directly and indirectly, contributing towards education, healthcare, developing industries, protecting the environment and wildlife, and more.
Plus, natural diamonds, like all of Earth’s natural resources, are finite and only getting rarer. The volcanic activity that brought them to the Earth’s surface ended tens of millions of years ago. Over the last 140 years, 7,000 kimberlite pipes (essentially the rocks in which diamonds can be found) have been sampled, and only around 1,000 contain diamonds. Of these 1,000, only about 60 have been sufficiently rich in diamonds to be economically viable. And of these 60, only seven mines, including De Beers Group’s Jwaneng, Orapa and Venetia mines, are responsible for most of the world’s diamonds. It is a truly unique process that allows us to find these small, precious gemstones.
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The Namibia Story
Namibia has a special place within the story of De Beers Code of Origin. Tumbling down the Orange River over thousands of years, Namibian diamonds have been uniquely shaped by their long journey to the sea.
Working in partnership with the Government of Namibia for over 20 years, De Beers has been seeking out these miracles of nature across their journey, using cutting-edge technology and industry-leading standards.
This joint venture has paved the way for further development and exploration, providing many opportunities for the people and country.
The Botswana Story
The story of Botswana within the history of diamonds is vital. De Beers has been operating through a joint venture partnership with the people of Botswana since diamonds were discovered in the country over fifty years ago. Thanks to this partnership, alongside the Government’s careful management of diamond revenues, the country has transformed into one of the fastest-growing economies on the planet, with world-class amenities, including healthcare and education. From every dollar of pre-tax earnings generated by their joint venture, over 80 cents goes back to Botswana through taxes, royalties, and dividends.
This has created numerous benefits for the people of Botswana. Every child under the age of 13 now receives free schooling, and there are more than 300 secondary schools compared to just three in 1966. Also, 95% of education past the primary school level is funded by the government.
The country has also seen many infrastructural developments, including nearly 7,000 miles of road, compared to only around six in 1966. The story of diamonds is intertwined with Botswana, helping to support and conserve these beautiful lands and provide untold opportunities for its people.
For People and the Planet
De Beers is committed to protecting the planet for generations to come. They preserve six acres of land for every one acre they use for mining, equating to half a million acres dedicated to the protection of endangered species and other wildlife. By developing innovative technologies, using renewable energies, and transforming their business, they will become carbon neutral across their operations by 2030.
To learn more about the De Beers Code of Origin and De Beers’ social and environmental programs, visit DeBeers.com/code.
De Beers™, De Beers Code of Origin™ and the De Beers Code of Origin logo are trademarks of De Beers Group
