A Brief Explanation
Blood diamonds (More known as conflict diamonds)
are diamonds that are mined in a war zone. They are then sold and the profits
made are used to fund war. Most commonly in Africa, the profits helped warlords
and rebels to purchase arms to fight with in devastating civil wars.
The efforts to stop this
The Kimberley Process is a voluntary and self-regulating
way to ensure diamonds are conflict free and are not funding illegal
activities. It has been doing well for a couple of years but recently the
process is failing. The process is meant to guarantee and provide confidence to
the consumer to know what they are buying is conflict free. They do this by labeling diamond shipments.
Problem Countries
Africa, Republic of Congo and Liberia are to name
but a few. The biggest problem country at the moment is Zimbabwe. Diamond
fields there are the biggest source of conflict diamonds entering the worlds
market. Families are forced to work mining for diamonds and they suffer dog
attacks, sexual assault and beating. This is the reason why we shouldn't buy blood diamonds as we fund the cruelty and poverty of the people working for the monsters that force them.
The reason the efforts to stop this, The Kimberly
Process have failed is because all though all 49 members who are part of the
Kimberly process must agree that the shipment is legit, the president of
Zimbabwe has been authorising the shipment of these diamonds independently.
How to Check if I am Buying Conflict Free Diamonds?
The biggest piece of advice I can give you is ask
questions, lots of them. Most diamond products are expensive and the money you
spend should mean you get something of quality, not war.
Ask questions like:
·
Where are the diamonds from
·
Ask for a written guarantee to ensure
the diamond is conflict free
·
Ask to see an invoice for the
diamonds
If the diamonds come from Zimbabwe, Angola, Sierra
Leone, Liberia, or Congo then do not buy it as it’s more than likely a blood
diamond. If the jeweller can’t answer or refuses to answer any of your
questions or you just feel uncomfortable then it’s time to turn and walk away
and look for another place.
Always look for reputation. Most jewellers are
legit and honest with what they sell but you should always keep your head on
your shoulders just in case.
A reputable Jewellers i know are called The Milestone Jewellers;
Specialists in jewellery in
Manchester and diamond jewellery in Manchester.
