Introduction: A declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People was passed on September 13th, 2007. The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand voted against the act. This act has broad ramifications throughout the gem world. Gems are often found on indigenous lands. Commonly governments work with large scale mining to disenfranchise and destroy indigenous communities

~ By Marc Choyt, Publisher, fairjewelry.org For the past two years, I have been asking people I know in the diamond trade when an African diamond directly traceable to a particular country and beneficiation programs will be available. Recently, programs have been developed in Sierra Leon, Namibia, and now we have the Botswana diamond.

Days Jewelers, an independent chain of five stores in New Hampshire and Maine, are at the forefront of ethical practices in the jewelry sector. Not long ago I read about Days Jewelers committment to purchasing the Botswana diamond, a new “fair trade” diamond brand. A bit of background here is in order. The companies marketing