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Have you seen the movie Blood Diamond? Let’s just say that it wasn’t one of those that “I think I saw, but don’t really remember what it was about!” The movie takes place in the 1990s, when diamond mining financed rebel fighting in places like Sierra Leone, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rebels kidnapped men and small boys and either forced them to mine the diamonds, or brainwashed them into becoming rebel soldiers themselves. The movie was very disturbing and not easily forgotten… especially since it was based on a true story.
One estimate suggests that smuggled diamonds- called “conflict diamonds”- made up 10-15% of the global diamond market in the ’90s. Drastic measures have since been taken to eliminate these practices, but how can you be sure that your diamond is conflict-free?
Shop smart. Some retailers, like Brilliant Earth, specialize in conflict-free jewelry. Otherwise, check for certification. Any well-established, reputable jeweler should be able to tell you a diamond’s history and guarantee that it is conflict-free. Feel like they are not telling you the truth? Ask to see the diamond’s Kimberly Process certificate or System of Warranties statement. To find out more about these certificates or see what they look like before you shop, visit DiamondFacts.org.
The good news? Don’t expect to pay more. There are many different factors that increase the price of a 
diamond, but being conflict-free certified should not be one of them. By working with a jeweler that you feel you can trust, and by researching before you buy, you should feel good about yourself for doing your part and being a responsible diamond shopper!
