Diamonds are a gem long associated with wedding bells, celebration, and warm fuzzy feelings. So it’s unsurprising that hearing the term “blood diamond” in the same breath can be a bit jarring. It doesn’t feel good to think that the same stones that bring us so much joy are associated with the dark reality of forced labor and inhumane working conditions.
![Image of a rough diamond](https://assets.1215diamonds.com/f_auto,q_auto/1215_diamonds/blog/2021/july/13/1.jpg)
What Is a Blood Diamond?
The term, “blood diamond” was established by the United Nations in the 1990s to address devastating civil wars taking place in western and central Africa. Regions such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone were heavily impacted by rebel groups looking to exploit these diamond-rich African countries, wreaking havoc on both people and natural resources in the process.
After a blood diamond was mined, it was sold directly to merchants or smuggled into a nearby country where it would be combined with stocks of legally mined diamonds and then sold on the open market. Profits from the blood diamond trade went back into the illegal operation and funds were used to purchase weapons and war materiel for violent rebel groups. The blood diamond meaning is simply that it was sold from and to fund violent insurrection.
The History of Blood Diamonds
Once a conflict diamond enters the supply chain, it is cut and polished to appear identical to any other stone. This concerned people in the West as retailers were unable to verify the source of these inhumane gems. As more and more shoppers began to question the origin of their engagement ring’s center stone, Diamond traders feared that a worldwide boycott was around the corner.
![Map of countries in Africa associated with conflict and smuggling](https://assets.1215diamonds.com/f_auto,q_auto/1215_diamonds/blog/2021/july/13/2.jpg)
![Many of today's diamonds are conflict free](https://assets.1215diamonds.com/f_auto,q_auto/1215_diamonds/blog/2021/july/13/8.jpg)
Are There Still Blood Diamonds?
While the number of blood diamonds available on the U.S. market has dropped significantly, that doesn’t mean that the problem of conflict diamonds has been eliminated. Unfortunately, diamonds originating from some regions such as Zimbabwe are still considered suspect. They have been banned from a handful of diamond trading networks due to international concern over forced labor and human rights abuses.
![Alluvial mining in Africa](https://assets.1215diamonds.com/f_auto,q_auto/1215_diamonds/blog/2021/july/13/5.jpg)
Is My Diamond a Blood Diamond?
Currently, diamond exports are dominated by mines in Canada, Russia, and South Africa, where diamond miners are required to treat employees well. If you’ve purchased an engagement ring or diamond jewelry of any kind in recent years or are planning to do so, it’s unlikely that your piece features a blood diamond.
Where Can I Buy Conflict Free Diamonds?
As mentioned above, significant steps have been taken to ensure that diamond producers provide consumers with conflict free stones. The world’s most popular jewelers set their pieces with ethical diamonds and gemstones, meaning that modern consumers don’t need to worry about purchasing a new piece of jewelry that uses blood diamonds.
![Shopping for an engagement ring online](https://assets.1215diamonds.com/f_auto,q_auto/1215_diamonds/blog/2021/july/13/6.jpg)
A lab grown diamond is not only a conflict free diamond but also a striking alternative to a mined diamond. Chemically the same as earth mined diamonds, lab grown diamonds are a gorgeous, affordable, and ethical alternative for environmentally conscious shoppers. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds minus the ocean dredging, earth displacement, and habitat destruction. The fact is, technology has come so far, and in this day and age, consumers have the ability to say no to diamond mining completely while having more options for ethical engagement rings.
Speaking of affordability, shoppers who are looking for the most bang for their buck and aren’t concerned with owning a real diamond might want to consider other alternatives such as moissanite or diamond simulants. Both choices are less costly than a diamond and offer outstanding sparkle and beauty that consumers love.
Sources:
https://geology.com/articles/blood-diamondss.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/blood-diamond