Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Every kiss begins with Kay. Diamonds are forever. They represent elegance and love, and are famous for their roles in engagements, Christmas celebrations, and Valentine’s Day. In America, these are the thoughts and feelings we associate with diamonds. We are happy and welcoming of the beautiful additions to our jewelry collections. Unfortunately, diamonds do not evoke this sense of joy in the parts of the world where mining causes extreme human suffering, civil wars, violence, worker exploitation, and environmental harm.
Conflict, or blood diamonds, earned their name because African leaders used to wage civil wars to control mining territory. These wars caused much bloodshed and violence, giving the gems the title of ‘blood diamonds’. Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are all countries in Africa that have seen wars related to the conflict diamond industry. These diamonds are not only the cause of civil war outbreak, but are also used to fund the very same wars. Though the wars are largely stopped now, the Central African Republic experienced a conflict over mining area just three years ago in 2013. These wars have caused the death of over 3.7 million people, and have displaced thousands.
These diamonds do not just start wars; they also perpetuate poverty in Africa. Miners in these regions produce 15% of the world’s diamond supply, but earn less than $1 per day. As a result, these employees live in very inhumane circumstances. They do not have running water, access to proper sanitation, and are starving. Infant mortality rates are high, and children do not get an education. Instead they go to the mines and work with their parents. They work without safety equipment or training. The diamond industry is so deregulated that citizens in diamond producing countries in Africa just accept these conditions. Further, independent diamond miners are cheated out of money because they have little purchasing and bargaining power. When they market their product, they are forced to sell their diamonds for an unfair price to middle men who exploit them.
In 2003, the industry tried to combat the production of blood diamonds through the use of the Kimberly Process. The international plan certificates diamonds that are conflict free, so buyers know their money is not supporting a corrupt industry, but does not intervene in situations where miners are killed or harmed by the government or mining companies. The Kimberly Process may ban the purchase of diamonds from certain areas, but the jewels are easily smuggled across borders into the hands of international buyers. Currently, the Central African Republic is under such a ban, but mining leaders are experiencing little issues getting their goods to the public.
Diamonds are beautiful symbols of love, joy, and happiness. A piece of coal goes through extreme pressure and turns in to a radiant shiny jewel. It is easy to look at your classic diamond earrings or timeless wedding band and feel nothing but happiness at the memories and people associated with your jewelry, but I urge you to do research before adding a new piece to your jewelry collection. Ask your jeweler for information on where your diamonds originated and ask to see the Kimberly Process certificate. All diamonds are beautiful, but remember that not all are clean.