History Of Blood Diamonds Or Conflict Diamonds

In the early 1990s the world market for diamonds was such that rebel forces found they could sell rough stones on the world stage and use the proceeds to fund revolutionary wars. Fighting in Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia and the Ivory Coast, all filled with vast mine fields, the history of blood diamonds got its modern name. In the early days of mining in the late 19th century, it was not uncommon for the mineworkers to be killed if they were even suspected of stealing diamonds.

Even today, after 69 countries agreed to the Kimberley process in 2003, conflict diamonds as they are called in some circles, are still financing revolutionary wars on the Ivory Coast and it is claimed they are helping to fund terrorism through al Qaeda. Despite the Kimberley agreement it remains difficult to guarantee the history of blood diamonds are not being sold as conflict-free diamonds.

The agreement reached during a meeting in Kimberley, South Africa among the worlds major diamond producing countries, with the history of blood diamonds agreed that every diamond sold would be accompanied by a certificate that it was mined in a country that does not use the sale of diamonds to fund revolutionary groups or others seeking to overthrow a government recognized by the United Nations. It is also certified that no diamonds were imported or exported to countries not a member of the agreement.

UN And US Banned Import And Sales Of Blood Diamonds

The world history of blood diamonds possibly began in 1998 when the United Nations placed sanctions on the sale of diamonds from Angola, forbidding countries from buying from them. It was estimated at the time that about 20 percent of the diamond production was going to fund the war in that country. By 1999, the World Diamond Council claimed that number had been dropped to just under four percent.

In 2001 the United States saw Presidential Executive Orders banning the import of diamonds from Sierra Leone and Liberia, based on their use of the diamond trade to fund war. The United Nations had declared the Liberia was working as pipeline for diamonds out of Sierra Leone, adding to the history of blood diamonds in western Africa.

A key aspect of the Kimberley agreement is the transparency of the governments and their diamond trade. All imports and exports are to be reported, along with their monetary value to allow others to see that they income from diamond sales does go into the history of blood diamonds, rather it is used to help their citizens.

Vern Anderson runs his own online business as well as running several shopping based websites. Check out these great Diamonds articles, resources and guides as well as some excellent Jewelry advice.

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