Facts About Blood Diamonds

Blood diamonds are not some fancy color of diamond, although diamonds do come in all shades of red. The blood refers to blood shed and the inhumane conditions the miners face when mining the diamonds. These rough diamonds are smuggled out from diamond mines in South Africa to fund warfare and racial conflict.

Where A Diamond Comes From is Important

Where a diamond comes from, and what the proceeds from the sale of the diamond are used for, has become more important to the final consumer. What bride wants to look at the diamond in her engagement ring and wonder how many lives were lost. When consumers start questioning their jeweler on the origin of the diamonds, and refuse to buy blood diamonds, or diamonds of unknown origin, the market for blood diamonds will begin to decline.

Origination

The concept of blood diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds, was introduced in 2002 to the general public in the James Bond movie "To Die Another Day." The plot revolved around rough diamonds being smuggled to support warfare. In reality that was and is still happening. The public was again made aware of the situation in the 2006 film, "Blood Diamonds."

Definition

A blood diamond or conflict diamond is defined by the United Nations as a "diamond that originates from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council."

Now blood diamonds refer to any diamonds, rough or cut, that are sold and the proceeds used to fund war and terrorism.

Rough Diamonds

Most diamonds are mined in South Africa, although diamonds occur nearly everywhere in the world. Nearly 90 percent of diamonds are used for industrial purposes. Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man and are used to cut, saw and polish other materials.

These industrial diamonds are not worth much and are rarely smuggled. It's the gem quality rough diamonds that are valuable. Diamonds are easily smuggled. A 2-carat rough diamond is about the size of a pea and can be worth up to $5,000 wholesale. Diamonds increase in value based on their size. For example a 4-carat diamond could be worth $25,000, rather than simply twice the 2-carat value of $5,000.

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)

The KPCS was put in place in 2001 in an attempt to track all rough diamond sales and make sure the diamonds didn't originate in a conflict zone. Unfortunately since the countries participating are self policed, the Kimberley Process hasn't had the hoped for success.

References

• blood diamonds
• conflict diamonds

Resources

• More on diamonds