Conflict diamonds

The diamond has long been considered a symbol of beauty and stability. Its very nature as the words hardest mineral lends the diamond an air of durability and strength. In recent history, however, the wealth from mining diamonds has created a new image for the precious gem - as a source for conflict and instability.

In war torn countries like Angola, Sierra Leone and the Republic of Congo where diamond mines are a major source of revenue, rebel armies use diamonds to buy weapons and fund battles. Diamonds bought and sold from these regions are known as "conflict diamonds" or "blood diamonds."

Stopping the flow of blood diamonds

During the 1990s, violence in the African countries of Sierra Leone and Angola prompted the United Nations to take action to try and restore peace in those regions. It was determined that rough diamonds mined by the rebel armies were the major source of finance for arms and supplies for these wars. The UN took action immediately by sanctioning arms, petroleum supplies and diamond trading to the regions controlled by rebel armies. The UN also began working on a plan that would permanently end the international trade of conflict diamonds.

In 2000, the diamond industry, governments and conflict watchdog groups introduced what is known as the Kimberley Process Certification System. This system limits the number of rough diamonds from conflict areas entering the market by a creating a pedigree for every stone that is mined all the way through its final cut. The Kimberley System was fully enacted in 2003 and today over 70 countries have signed it into law.

Clearing your conscience about your own diamond

Today, diamond retailers can check the pedigree of every diamond they sell to insure customers that their diamond was not mined in a conflict area. When purchasing a diamond, be sure to ask the retailer to double check that it is not from a conflict area. Although the Kimberley system has been effective in cutting the number of conflict diamonds on the market, if consumers keep pressure on retailers and express their desire to own conflict-free diamonds, there will be even less incentive for the market to consume blood diamonds.