The term “what is a blood diamond” is often associated with celebration and wedding bells. But, hearing the phrase in the same breath can be jarring. The term implies conflict, human rights abuses, and forced labor. As a result, many people associate diamonds with conflict and death. Yet, there is a more complex story behind this gem. Read on to learn more about what is a blood-diamond and why it is so problematic.
The term “blood diamond” first entered the public consciousness years ago and continues to be used to describe diamonds mined in war zones. These “conflict diamonds” are generally associated with funding rebel forces and lining the pockets of warlords in certain nations in Africa. They were often mixed with legitimate gems. The United States and European Union have made it difficult to buy or sell such stones. However, the aforementioned new ethical standards have made it possible to identify conflict diamonds and eliminate them from the market.
Kimberley Process
Although the Kimberley Process does not address blood diamonds, it is important to remember that conflict diamonds can also be a blood-diamond. As such, it is important to distinguish between conflict and blood diamonds. This means that they are not the same. They are often interchangeable, and you should never purchase a blood diamond unless you are sure of its origin. The Kimberley Process does not address blood diamond issues.
As a result, blood-diamonds are still in circulation. In addition to being used to arm rebels in Cote d’Ivoire, these gemstones can be found in jewellery stores all over the world. They can’t be traced to their source and can be mixed with other legitimate gems. So, when looking for a diamond for your engagement ring, you should look for one that is certified by the UN.
Blood diamonds
In addition to conflict, blood diamonds can also be traded for weapons and currencies of various nations. They may even be deposited in bank accounts outside of the country of origin. In many cases, this process addresses the funding crisis but doesn’t address the ethical issues. In order to protect the interests of the people who make these diamonds, a blood diamond must be ethically certified. A conflict-free diamond is one that has not been sold.
In 2000, Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada began spreading the word about the blood diamond. They revealed how these gems were used to fund wars. This story changed the way the public viewed diamonds and changed the way they are bought and sold. As a result, the Kimberley Process was created to ensure that conflict free diamonds do not come from conflict areas. It is a voluntary certification system for diamonds.
In the 1990s, the worst of the African civil wars ended. But despite the resulting deterioration in the situation, the diamond trade has continued to generate a significant portion of the world’s supply. And in spite of its ill-repute, many conflict-diamonds are still mined in Sierra Leone and sold in jewellery stores worldwide. As a result, they are often mixed with legitimate gems and mixed with fakes in order to gain profit.
Gemstones
The sale of blood-diamonds has been illegal in the past. The term “blood diamond” is also used to describe the gemstones that have been produced in a conflict zone. These are sometimes considered ‘conflict diamonds’ and are often associated with a specific region. In addition to conflict-diamonds, these gems are used to fund rebel forces and fund civil wars in the African continent.
The trade of blood-diamonds has been outlawed in most countries. The term “blood diamond” is often used to describe the conflict-diamonds produced in Sierra Leone. These gems are not considered blood-diamonds but conflict-diamonds are also known as “conflict diamonds” because they are sourced from countries that are under war and have no democratic government.
Last Remarks:
Despite the widespread use of conflict diamonds, only a small number of them are considered conflict-free. The vast majority of diamonds that are traded are conflict-free, but blood-diamonds are a different story. In fact, conflict-diamonds are not conflict-free, but they are still sold to fund rebels and their armed movements. This means that they are not ethical.
