Lee's Gold & Diamond Conflict-Free Diamond Policy

Lee's Gold & Diamond is committed to ensuring that the diamonds we sell are conflict free diamonds, assuring you that our inventory was procured through legal sources. In compliance with the Patriot Act, the Kimberly Process, and various United Nations resolutions, the diamonds we sell have been obtained using legitimate means. It also provides you with the peace of mind of knowing your diamond purchase is an untainted symbol of love.

Understanding the Blood Diamonds Issue

Some years ago the diamond industry was lacking proper regulations to ensure the mining and distribution of diamonds was adequately controlled. This allowed rebel leaders to take advantage of smaller impoverished countries to forcibly finance their war activities with diamonds. This is where the term "Blood Diamonds" or "Conflict Diamonds” came from.

Kimberly Compliant and America's Patriot Act

The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was established to certify the origin of rough diamonds from sources known to be conflict-free. A 2000 meeting of southern Africa diamond producing countries established guidelines for the KPCS which were later adopted by the United Nations. To ensure compliance, independent auditing systems are tasked with tracking diamonds from their place of origin to delivery.

Polished diamonds sold in the US must adhere to the Patriot Act which requires that every US dealer maintain Kimberly compliance or be subject to penalties from Homeland Security, the US Justice Department, and the US Treasury.

Lee's Gold & Diamond’s Commitment to Conflict Free Diamonds

Today, over 99% of the diamonds sold are from conflict free sources. Work is being done to tighten up the Kimberley Process and make it even more effective. Lee's Gold & Diamond is committed to ensuring that the global diamond industry is a safe environment for all involved. We are committed to following all legislation and best practices to ensure that all our diamond sources deal only with conflict free diamonds.

We understand that our customers care where their diamonds come from and we share that concern with you. By shopping Lee's Gold & Diamond, we strive to maintain the highest standards including sourcing diamonds from reputable providers.

 

 

Diamond Jewelry Care

 

Safe and Effective Ways to Care for Diamond Rings

No two diamonds are exactly alike, and because of that, your diamond rings is truly special and unique. In order to keep your diamond ring looking beautiful and brilliant, it is important to clean and care for your ring on a regular basis. Common elements like hand lotion, hair styling products, and everyday dirt and grime all leave a film on your diamond ring, keeping it from looking its best. And if you wait too long between cleanings, those materials can accumulate on the back of your diamond, blocking light and making the diamond appear dull and lifeless.

A professional annual cleaning is highly recommended as it is also important to have your ring checked to make sure prongs have not weakened or become unstable. However, in between professional cleanings, it is essential that you clean your diamond ring at home on a regular basis.

To help you care for your ring, we have outlined a step by step process on the safest and easiest methods to clean your diamond ring.

Tips on Cleaning Diamonds

You can safely and effectively clean your diamonds at home with any of the following household solutions:

• Brand name liquid detergent
• Mild detergent
• Vodka.


The following are three simple methods to clean diamonds.

Detergent Bath
1. Soak your diamond ring in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent and water.
2. Gingerly brush the diamond with a soft toothbrush while immersed in the suds.
3. Swish the ring around in the solution and then rinse it thoroughly under running warm water. (Close the drain first or put the ring in a strainer to avoid losing it!)
4. Dry your diamond ring with a lint-free cloth.

**If your ring needs extra help, use a dental Water Pik to flush away small bit of grime. You can also use a wooden toothpick to very carefully push dirt away from the diamond and setting.

Cold Water Soak
1. Prepare a small bowl of half cold water and half ammonia and soak your diamond in the solution for 30 minutes.
2. Remove the diamond and gently tap around the circumference of the mounting with a softbrush.
3. Place the ring in the solution for a second treatment.

4. Rinse and drain on tissue paper.

Quick Method
1. Spray or dip your diamond ring in Windex.
2. Rinse with water and dry with a lint-free cloth.

Additional Hints

Cleaning Rings with Multiple Gemstones – the method you use to clean jewelry should protect its weakest element. If your ring includes other gems, use a cleaning method that is suitable for the less durable stones.

Protect Diamond Rings from Chlorine – you already know that chlorine is hard on the hands, so imagine how it can affect your jewelry. Remember to wear gloves or simply remove your diamond ring when coming into contact with chlorine.