Today, 99 percent of all diamonds sold are from sources that are conflict free!
Blood diamonds also called Conflict diamonds is the name given to diamonds from Western and Central Africa due to the conflict beginning at the late 1990's. The world seen glimpses of what was happening there a little on the local news channels and a little more on the cable news channels. But, The World became aware of rebel armies were illegally using diamonds to fund their conflict against legitimate internationally recognized goverments. This was a massive human rights crisis and many goverments set forth to put an end to this crisis. Children were armed with AK-47 military type weapons and they helped the rebels.
The rebels sell the diamonds to terrorists to fund their operations. Many Peoples hands were chopped off by the RUF units and these victims were sent to spread the message to fear the RUF for the terror they bring. The "peacekeepers" were inept in their defense of Sierra Leone. Nigerian soldiers serving a African peacekeeping force killed any civilians even suspected of helping, supporting or aiding RUF in any way. They also tortured children that they suspected of ties to the RUF. Hospital patients were slaughtered in Freetown trying to clean out the town of rebels. It is no stretch to say that Sierra Leone became a sinkhole of death, torture, and terror.
Finally, the World recognizes the crisis of massive human rights in Africa as a major world problem that has to be dealt with. The UN (United nations) along with non-govermental agencies and the help of the Worlds diamond industry set in place laws and standards to eliminate the conflict diamonds by change. One is called the Kimberly Process to ban the sale of conflict diamonds by strictly enforced measures set forth. The WDC (World Diamond Council) was formed, the WDC's mission to stop trade in conflict or blood diamonds by working with goverment and non-govermental organizations.
In the Kimberly process all rough diamonds are sealed in containers that are certified conflict free and tamper proof with forgery resistant documents and a special related serial number. And every time the container crosses a international border each one must be re-certified. This of course only applies to participating countries, in these countries this is now the law and has strict penalties enforced. Now, today, Because of the Kimberly Process it is said that 99 percent of all diamonds sold are from sources that are conflict free, which is amazing looking at what was happening in the 1990'S in Africa.
The movie "Blood Diamonds" staring Leonardo DiCaprio is primarily about Leonardo's character on a quest to find a hidden rough diamond. But the movie does show some of the reality of the real story of human rights violations and the second largest refugee camp in the World which is over one million people, and tells the largest refugee camp is also in Africa. The movie briefly shows some of the violent and tortured terrified people living through that time of RUF and rebel terror.
Article by JBlanton JewelryandEtc.com
Blood Diamonds are basically diamonds that are used to Fund Conflicts & wars.
These diamonds mainly come from African Countries like the DRC, Sierra Leone and Mali.
The Rebel groups opposed to the Governments in the Diamond producing countries use this precious resource to buy weapons, food and medicine to further their cause.
The Kimberley Process which is a certification process was set implemented in November of 2003 to curb the trade in illicit Diamonds.
It was set up by players in the Diamond industry and NGOs who lobbied for Diamond producing countries to join it. Read more on the Kimberley process!!!
Has the process worked thus far, mostly yes!!
There is still a flourishing Industry in Blood Diamonds with Countries like Sierra Leone reporting up to 20% of their Diamonds are smuggled out of their country.
Diamonds are small & have extremely high value making it easier for Greedy dealers to use gaps in the system & abuse it.
The main issue has been that the industry has been unable to police itself very effectively.
In Africa, there are issues of Corruption & coercion between dealers and government officials that aid in smuggling.
Now this is where I introduce a new train of thought!!!
Diamonds like Gold & platinum are not only a natural resource but commodities as well.
This is despite the fact that they are not openly traded on an Exchange e.g. the London Metal Exchange (LME) in the case of Gold & Platinum.
The small scale miners in the Diamond producing countries rely on these Diamonds as a source of income. These same countries can NOT stop them from mining as the miners could even own the land the Diamonds are on.
In fact, most countries encourage the diamond mining as a means of creating wealth among the masses. Problem is, most of the African Diamond producing countries don't have the Resource & some the Will to regulate these small scale miners.
These miners are not very worried about who buys their stones.
As it is, they get ripped of during the sale as they normally don't have a good idea about the world markets.
So unscrupulous diamond traders buy from them & smuggle them out.
Whom do you put the blame on?
I personally think it's unfair to punish the small miner as he is trying to make a living & as much as you'd blame the dealers, they are in the Diamond business to make money.
Just as there are muggers in the streets who will take your money without pity, there are business people who have no ethics!!
The solution?
From my point of view, I propose that the Diamond producing countries with help from the International Diamond Council should add the "small" people to the Diamond Pipeline & make sure they get fair prices for their stones....sort of like what the Fresh produce industry did with Fair-Trade.
This will seal off quite a few of the holes in the Conflict Diamond industry.
Both Jblanton & Anthony Chege are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jblanton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diamonds, Jewelry. To learn more about jewelry visit: www.jewelryandetc.com What are Blood Diamonds article. Jblanton's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
Anthony Chege has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diamonds. I love Diamonds!! Yes, in as much as there is so much controversy surrounding them, they are Gods gifts to us. Its our responsibility to make sure we all benefit from them. At. Anthony Chege's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.