What are Blood Diamonds? A Guide to History and Global Response

What is Blood Diamond Meaning

According to the United Nations' definition from the 1990s, what are blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds, refer to diamonds mined and sold in areas controlled by forces opposed to a legitimate government to fund wars, terrorist activities, or or warlord activities.

Specifically, these diamonds are obtained through violent exploitation of labor and support wars in countries such as Angola, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, leading to the deaths and displacement of millions of innocent people. This is why they are called "blood diamonds".

Though blood diamonds are virtually identical in shape and cut to regular diamonds, the term are used to highlight the negative consequences of the diamond trade in certain regions or to mark individual diamonds as coming from those areas, reminding people of the tragedy behind them.

Why are Blood Diamonds Bad

First of all, the very definition of blood diamonds or conflict diamonds renders them unlawful because they fund unrecognized rebel forces, harming everyday life and perpetuating violence against innocent civilians. Worse yet, human rights, education, health, and the environment have suffered devastating blows.

Human Rights Abuses: Diamond operations are arduous, but conflict diamonds involve even more dangerous conditions. Without labor rights, protections, or fair wages, workers are at the mercy of their employers, subject to ongoing exploitation, even from police forces;

Health Hazards: Diamond miners often face life-threatening conditions, including cave-ins, explosions, and waterborne diseases, due to a lack of safety equipment and medical care, particularly in developing countries;

Education Deprivation: Children in conflict diamond regions are forced into labor due to their physical advantage and low wages. Additionally, adult workers also lack education. They can lose their lives because of inadequate mining knowledge and tools.

Environmental Damage: Blood diamond exploration and mining often sacrifice forests, soil, and water while using large amounts of chemicals. This destroys the current living environment and water conditions, and further damages the local ecosystem, making it difficult for future generations to sustain themselves.

Kimberley Process: Global Response to Blood Diamonds

In response to the growing concern over what blood diamonds are, the international community took a action called Kimberley Process (KP) to address the issue. It was initially formed in May 2000 to ensure that diamond purchases do not fund rebel movements and violent acts. In March 2002, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme received United Nations approval and came into official effect in 2003.

Currently, the Kimberley Process has 59 participants representing 85 countries. It is defined as an international certification scheme to regulate the trade in rough diamonds, preventing the flow of conflict diamonds while helping to protect the legitimate trade in rough diamonds.

Meanwhile, KPCS outlines the rules for rough diamond trade management. Any diamond shipment must have a KP certificate, which can be in any language but must be tamper-proof, with an English translation. The minimum required information includes origin, Alpha-2 country code, issuing authority, carat weight, and the identities of the importer and exporter, along with the authority for certifying the certificate.

The detailed KP rules and the efforts of participation have hindered criminals to some extent. At the same time, the legitimate diamond trade has increased revenue for impoverished countries. In 2006, Sierra Leone exported approximately $125 million worth of legitimate diamonds, compared to almost nothing in the late 1990s. By 2009, the proportion of conflict diamonds in the global diamond trade had dropped to 0.4%. These days, a ministerial-level policy forum has been held to highlight the review and reform of KP regarding conflict diamonds.

Key Blood Diamond History for Deeper Grasp

So far, we've dived into the question of what are blood diamonds, including their definition, impacts, and global initiatives. To help you further grasp the concept of blood diamonds, a simple overview of key blood diamond history is listed below. Please read on.

1. Origin of Conflict Diamonds
In the mid-1990s, armed groups in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, took over diamond mining areas to fuel their rebellions. The unregulated diamond trade in these regions became a major source of war and violence.

2. Sierra Leone Civil War
The civil war in Sierra Leone in 1991-2002 is a key factor for the blood diamond issue. Rebel groups financed their activities by controlling mines, which escalated the violence. Innocent civilians were forced into labor or suffered horrific violence.

3. International Attention and Response
In the late 1990s, as media coverage and human rights advocacy raised awareness about the blood diamond issue, the international community began to take action. By 2003, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was enacted, and participating countries began implementing its regulations.

4. Impact of the Blood Diamond Movie
In 2006, the film Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was released, further raising public awareness of conflict diamonds and highlighting their devastating humanitarian impact on local innocent people.

Best Alternative: Conflict-Free Diamonds

Blood diamonds definition is associated with violence and human suffering, making them neither recommended nor legal to purchase. Ethically sourced Darry Ring diamonds, however, offer a responsible alternative, allowing you to choose a symbol of love without compromise. Lab-created diamonds are also available as an ethical and beautiful choice.

● Darry Ring Diamonds

Darry Ring is more than just a jewelry brand. It is also a true love brand dedicated to the promise of "Buy for One Person in a Lifetime". With each piece, from engagement rings, wedding rings to earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, Darry Ring celebrates the values of love, truth, and beauty. Every item is crafted with carefully selected natural and real diamonds, often certified by NGTC, GIA, or IGI, ensuring a lasting symbol of commitment and elegance.

Meanwhile, Darry Ring is known for innovative designs and high-quality diamond cut craftsmanship. Its concentric cut can reshape another heart within a well-cut heart-shaped diamond, echoing the connection between lovers. The exclusive Star cut, with 42 additional facets compared to the traditional round brilliant cut, makes the diamond even more impressive. Even better, Darry Ring D and Just You diamond series both have patent certifications, and the former has even won the MUSE, FDA, and IDA awards.

● Lab-grown Diamonds

By comparsion, lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds have the same physical, chemical and optical properties. They are created in a controlled laboratory environment using advanced technology, which is totally different from what blood diamonds are.

Therefore, lab-created diamonds are conflict-free and ethically sourced diamonds, and they eliminate human rights abuses, child labor, and environmental damage that can occur in the mining of blood diamonds. Moreover, they allow consumers to verify the origin and authenticity of the diamonds, playing a significant role in combating the trade in conflict diamonds.

By the way, Darry Ring also offers a small selection of lab-grown diamonds, all of which meet these specifics and come with IGI and NGTC certificates.

FAQs About What are Blood Diamonds

Do blood diamonds still exist?

Yes, blood diamonds still exist. Despite the efforts of the Kimberley Process, some diamonds still find their way into the legitimate supply chain through illegal means. Smuggling routes, corruption, and lack of transparency in the diamond industry make it difficult to completely eradicate the trade of blood diamonds.

The good news is blood diamonds has significantly reduced thanks to international efforts. Various organizations and initiatives are working tirelessly to address these challenges. NGOs such as Global Witness and Amnesty International continue to raise awareness about the issue and advocate for stricter regulations and transparency in the diamond industry. Additionally, consumer awareness campaigns have played a crucial role in pressuring jewelers and retailers to ensure that their diamonds are conflict-free.

How to avoid conflict diamonds?

The main way to avoid conflict diamonds is to figure out what blood diamonds are first and ensure that the diamonds you purchase come from legal and certified sources. Here are some practical tips:

Choose Reputable Brands: When buying diamonds, opt for large jewelry retailers like Darry Ring and Tiffany. They all provide clear proof of the legitimate sourcing of their diamonds;

Request Diamond Certificate: The KPCS has flaws and cannot fully guarantee the legality of a diamond. It is recommended to ask for certification info from institutions like GIA when purchasing;

Ask for Diamond Details: Inquire about the diamond's origin, including the mine and its every step of the supply chain. This can help you avoid conflict diamonds.

Select Lab-created Diamonds: Lab-grown diamonds are scientifically created diamonds that are essentially identical to natural diamonds, but without the ethical concerns.