Conflict Diamonds

Diamonds are one of the most precious stones in the world Not only are they rare but are glamorized by the media/pop culture Around half of the world’s diamonds come from Africa Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and South Africa are the leading producers of diamonds Diamond smuggling has always been an issue with African diamonds In the late 90s and 2000s diamonds were being mined & illegally smuggled to finance wars & conflicts in Africa These are known as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds 20% of the diamonds coming out of Africa were conflict diamonds Most were used to fund rebel groups in Angola & Sierra Leone

The UN started the Kimberly Process, which is supposed to determine the origin of all diamonds Members of the Kimberley Process have agreed to a certificate system designed to identify the origin of diamonds and to guarantee that they are legally exported Diamond companies are not supposed to buy from countries not in the Kimberly Process The issue has hit the mainstream in recent years with Kanye West’s song “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” and the film “Blood Diamond” Rebel groups such as the RUF forced millions into virtual slavery, as well as killing and maiming others The UN & US have banned the sale of conflict diamonds The bigger issue is determining which diamonds come from these “conflict” zones