Conflict diamonds have funded devastating civil wars in Africa, and still contribute to extreme violence, worker exploitation, and environmental devastation.
Due to the severe limitations of the Kimberley Process, diamonds tainted by human rights abuse are widely sold and certified as "conflict free."
Understand the issues impacting the diamond industry today.
Our conflict diamond infographic explores past issues and ongoing abuses impacting the diamond industry.
Even though many brutal civil wars have now ended, violence in diamond mines remains a serious problem. Many diamonds are still stained by severe human rights abuses such as forced labor, beatings, torture, and murder.
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Many of the world's diamonds are harvested using practices that exploit workers, children, and communities. A million diamond diggers in Africa earn less than a dollar a day, causing widespread poverty and community suffering. Artisanal miners work in highly unsafe conditions, often without training, safety equipment, or proper tools.
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Due to poor planning and weak regulation, diamond mining has caused environmental devastation, severely damaging the land and water. This irresponsible mining has caused soil erosion and deforestation, and has forced local communities to relocate. In extreme cases, diamond mining can cause entire ecosystems to collapse.
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The Kimberley Process claims to have solved the problem of conflict diamonds, but it systematically ignores human rights abuses, worker exploitation, and environmental degradation. It does not require diamonds to be traced to their mine of origin, allowing smuggled diamonds to obtain "conflict free" certification and enter world markets.
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Brilliant Earth is proud to partner with the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) to provide training in diamond valuation to artisanal... Read More
Diamond diggers in Africa often dream of finding a gem that will make them rich. Those dreams are not usually fulfilled. Digging for... Read More
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