The objective of this Code is to provide a minimum standard for authenticating
a Canadian diamond claim. This Code applies only to diamonds marketed
as Canadian.
1. What is a Canadian diamond?
A diamond that was mined in Canada and may be cut and polished in Canada
or abroad.
2. I bought a Canadian diamond before the Code came into effect. Is
my diamond still a Canadian diamond?
The origin of your stone has not changed. The Voluntary Code of Conduct
for Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims is simply a mechanism, which
can provide consumers with additional assurance that the necessary "chain
of custody" steps have been taken from mine to retail sale of Canadian
diamonds.
You should first contact the retailer to obtain his/her assurance that
the diamond is Canadian. All retailers, including non-signatories of
the Code, who are making a claim that a diamond is Canadian should be
able to substantiate their claim. The inability to substantiate such
a claim could find the claimant in contravention of the Competition
Act.
The Canadian Diamond Code Committee (CDCC) may be able to confirm that
the diamond is Canadian if it was purchased from a retailer that already
had in place the appropriate paper trail allowing to track the diamond
from the retailer to the mine. If this is the case, the retailer should
have given you an invoice and a report or certificate which provides
a diamond description, a diamond identification number, the name and
address of the issuer of the report or certificate, the date of purchase
and invoice number.
3. Will the Code Committee "guarantee" that my diamond
is Canadian?
No. The authentication process simply confirms whether or not the Code
has been followed. The Voluntary Code lays out a minimum standard for
the handling, storage, packaging and marking of diamonds marketed as
Canadian from the point that they are sold by a mining company. Participants,
including mining operators, sorting and marketing facilities, traders
of rough diamonds, cutters and polishers, traders of polished diamonds,
jewellery manufacturers and retailers are required to meet this minimum
standard. Upon receiving a request to authenticate a Canadian diamond
claim along with the required information and payment of the prescribed
fee, the Code Committee will confirm whether or not the necessary steps
were taken to meet the required standard.
4. What if the Code Committee cannot authenticate a Canadian diamond
representation? What do I do?
If the Code Committee cannot authenticate a Canadian diamond claim,
you may want to contact the retailer for further clarification. If you
are not satisfied with the representation, you may register a complaint
with the Competition Bureau by contacting the toll-free number, 1-800-348-5358,
and providing the description of the diamond; i.e. all laser markings
(when applicable), Diamond Identification Number, the 4Cs supplied by
the retailer, the retailer's name and address, date of purchase and
invoice number.
5. Where can I get more information about the Code?
You may call the Code Committee at 1-866-399-1118 or visit its website
at www.canadiandiamondcodeofconduct.com
6. Is there a fee for authenticating my Canadian Diamond?
Yes, there is an administrative fee of $25.00 plus GST for up to 2
diamonds per piece of jewellery and $50.00 Plus GST for 3 or more diamonds
per piece of jewellery.
7. What should I ask for if I am considering buying a Canadian diamond?
You should obtain assurance from the retailer that the diamond originated
from a mine in Canada.
If the retailer is a signatory of the Voluntary Code of Conduct for
Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims, he/she is committed to provide
you, on the sale of a promoted Canadian diamond, details regarding the
Canadian Diamond Authentication Process as well as a polished diamond
certificate/report and an invoice which contains the following information:
(a) the diamond Identification Number;
(b) the name and address of the retailer where the diamond jewellery
was purchased, the retailer's invoice number and the date of the invoice;
(c) the polished diamond description.
If the retailer is not a Code signatory, he/she must be able to substantiate
his/her Canadian diamond claims in order to comply with the Competition
Act. If you have doubts regarding a claim from a retailer that a diamond
is Canadian, you should try first to obtain assurance from this retailer.
If after attempting to obtain clarification, you are of the view that
the claim is fraudulent, misleading or that it cannot be substantiated,
you may wish to register a complaint with the Competition Bureau by
contacting the toll-free number, at 1-800-348-5358.
8. What information do I need to provide to request the authentication
of a Canadian diamond (jewellery) I purchased?
You will need:
(a) the diamond Identification Number;
(b) the name and address of the retailer where the diamond jewellery
was purchased, the retailer's invoice number and the date of invoice;
(c) the polished diamond description; i.e. shape (cut), colour, clarity
and carat (weight).
9. How do I know if the retailer is a Code signatory?
You may visit www.canadiandiamondcodeofconduct.com for a list of Code
signatories. You may also ask your retailer if he/she is a signatory.
Retailers will display in plain view a CDCC approved Code Member picture
or decal or sign indicating compliance with the Code.
