Conflict Diamonds

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Conflict diamonds, also referred to as blood diamonds, are diamonds that are sold to fund rebel fighting, terrorist groups and other illegal activities that cost the lives and limps of men women and children. Historically the countries that has been most affected by illegal trade of blood diamonds are Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo — all places where citizens have been terrorized, mutilated and killed by groups in control of the local diamond trade.

Amnesty International have launched an intense campaign to fight the trade of conflict diamonds. Many reports have been filed against governments who have turned the other way or failed to control the blood diamond market.

The one of the first steps to eliminating the occurence for conflict diamond violence is to eliminate the opportunities to use diamonds for currency in the affected areas. We as consumers have to be critical and vigilent to not buy these blood stained diamonds. If we eliminate the market for conflict diamonds, the use of these for currency and trading will minimize.

Additionally we must support peace in these regions and governments who are willing to fight corruption and the trade of diamonds for political favors, weapons or power.

Since 2000 the U.N. has has battled the conflict diamond trade with sanctions on several African nations and partnered with the World Diamond Council, Jewelers of America, and Belgian Association of Rough Diamond Traders to eradicate the consumer market for blood diamonds.

Note: All of the diamond jewelers that we recommend are free of conflict diamonds.

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