Blood Diamonds Are Still Going Strong

Blood diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds, are diamonds that are mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict and civil wars. These diamonds are often smuggled out of conflict areas and sold on the global market, often with false documentation that conceals their true origin.

The diamond industry has made efforts to address the issue of blood diamonds, including the establishment of the Kimberley Process in 2003. The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that aims to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds by requiring participating countries to certify that their diamonds are conflict-free. However, the Kimberley Process has faced criticism for failing to effectively address the issue of blood diamonds, as it relies on self-reporting and does not have the capacity to independently verify the origin of diamonds.

The negative impacts of blood diamonds extend beyond the financing of conflict. The mining of these diamonds often takes place in areas where there is little to no regulation, leading to environmental destruction and human rights abuses, including forced labor and child labor.

Consumers can help to reduce the demand for blood diamonds by purchasing diamonds that have been certified as conflict-free by organizations such as the Kimberley Process or the Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct. It is also important for consumers to be aware of the potential for diamonds to be smuggled and to ask questions about the origin of the diamonds they are purchasing.

In summary, blood diamonds are a significant issue in the diamond industry, as they contribute to the financing of conflict and can have negative impacts on the environment and human rights. Consumers can play a role in reducing the demand for these diamonds by purchasing conflict-free diamonds and being aware of the potential for diamonds to be smuggled.