TransFair to study fair trade diamonds

OAKLAND, Calif.—Fair trade certifier TransFair USA said Thursday jeweler Tiffany & Co. awarded it a $100,000 grant to asses the feasibility of fair trade certification for diamonds.

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TransFair said it will conduct the study early this year.

Fair trade products are certified as meeting practices that do not exploit laborers. The diamond trade has been under fire for years since some diamonds, called "conflict diamonds" are sold to fund the operations of rebel, military and terrorist groups.

TransFair USA certifies coffee, tea, herbs, vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, rice, sugar, bananas and flowers.