What Are Blood Diamonds? The Truth No One Has Revealed About Blood Diamonds

The name blood diamonds reflects the blood-stained nature of each diamond when illegally mined. That activity has brought to market diamonds that are not certified and do not meet standards. This leads to many consequences and instability issues for the global diamond market. 

So what are blood diamonds? How does the Kimberley Process affect the reality of blood diamonds? Let Jemmia explore the details through the article below. 

What Are Blood Diamonds?

Blood diamonds (Blood Diamonds) are diamonds mined in areas of armed conflict, in contexts of labor exploitation, violence, and human rights abuses, and sold to finance war. 

From the early 1990s to the early 2000s, especially in countries such as Sierra Leone in Africa, diamonds were not only symbols of love and luxury, but also the source of civil war and human rights oppression.

According to the United Nations, at the peak period (1991-2002), blood diamonds accounted for 4-15% of total global rough diamond trade value - a figure that shocked the industry.

The concept of “blood diamonds” reflects the brutal reality of using labor in mining areas where armed conflicts are taking place, forcing thousands of people to trade blood and life itself just to extract this precious resource.

Blood diamonds account for about 4-15% of total global rough diamond trade value

The History of Blood Diamonds 

Violence and Conflict in Diamond Mining

In diamond-rich mining areas, conflict between military groups and rebels over territorial control is common. This means that diamond mining is not only labor exploitation but also the source of bloody wars, as diamonds become a means to fund military activities.

Sadly, not only adults, but also children are forced to become soldiers to serve in wars for control of these lucrative diamond mines.

The consequence of those conflicts is immense suffering for people in African countries. Many families lose loved ones, children are forced into soldiering, and many women must endure the brutality of war. In addition, the natural environment around these mining areas is also severely destroyed, leading to irreversible environmental degradation.

The consequence of blood diamonds is that many people have to endure the brutality of war

The Bloody Price of Diamond Mining

During the period 1991 - 2002, when the diamond rush spread across African countries, many nations became mining hotspots for international corporations. Countries such as Sierra Leone, where the economy was underdeveloped and governance was weak, became ideal environments for foreign companies to manipulate.

During mining operations, local workers often had to work under harsh conditions, were exploited for their labor, and even faced violence. Local authorities, due to lack of control and excessive dependence on foreign investment, gradually became tools in the hands of large corporations.

The cruelty of this process is summed up in the phrase “blood for diamonds.” Workers at diamond mines were often treated like slaves, forced to labor from morning to night without any rights or protection.

Many were compelled to work in harsh conditions, beaten if they did not meet production demands, and in many cases lost their lives when they could no longer continue working.

Many people were forced to work in harsh conditions, exploited for their labor, and even beaten 

Benefits of Blood Diamonds for Illegal Organizations 

Blood diamonds, despite carrying the price of suffering and violence, remain a lucrative source of profit for many illegal organizations. These diamonds are often sold at lower prices on the market, creating attractive opportunities for smugglers or buyers who do not care about their origin.

The money earned from trading blood diamonds is often used to fund criminal activities such as buying weapons, slave trading, or enriching rebel groups.

Although international efforts have helped reduce conflict and illegal diamond mining, the consequences of this dark past still haunt many people in African countries. Thousands have lost their lives, and the psychological wounds are difficult to erase.

The money earned from trading blood diamonds often serves illegal activities

The Kimberley Process and the “Legal” Reality of Diamonds

To address these frightening realities, the international community jointly introduced the Kimberley Process – an international certification system established to prevent the trade of diamonds from conflict areas.

However, this system focuses only on preventing diamonds from being used to fund rebels, while human rights issues and labor exploitation at legal mines have still not been thoroughly resolved.

The Kimberley Process cannot stop legal companies from mining diamonds with brutal methods, and diamonds labeled “legal” still continue to circulate in the international market.

This raises concerns about the effectiveness and authenticity of this certification system in protecting human rights and the interests of workers at diamond mines.

See more: The Kimberley Process in Controlling Blood Diamonds

The Kimberley Process and the “Legal” Reality of Diamonds

A Warning from History About the Blood Diamond Situation 

The blood diamond crisis was vividly recreated in the famous film “Blood Diamond” released in 2006, reflecting the harsh truth about violence, exploitation, and the pain of diamond miners in Sierra Leone. It is a reminder to the whole world of the true price many people must pay for the sparkle of diamonds.

Today, while most diamonds are mined under stricter regulations, the lessons from the past remain a warning for the future. Consumers need to be more responsible when choosing diamonds and support only ethical sources, to ensure that the beauty of diamonds does not come with humanity’s suffering.

The reality of blood diamonds was once recreated through the famous film “Blood Diamond”

How Can Consumers Identify and Avoid Blood Diamonds? 

Check International Certifications 

Reputable international certifications not only evaluate quality according to the 4Cs but also demonstrate transparency in the mining, crafting, and trading process of diamonds. This is the most important step to avoid buying blood diamonds.

GIA (Gemological Institute of America): 

GIA is the world’s most trusted diamond grading organization. Every diamond with GIA certification has a GIA Report Number laser-inscribed on the girdle, allowing quick verification on the GIA website. Through this code, buyers can confirm that the diamond is legal and not related to conflict mining activities.

IGI, HRD and AGS

IGI, HRD and AGS are other reputable grading organizations used by many international brands.

These certifications describe in detail the diamond’s journey from extraction to completion, helping ensure transparent origin.

Diamonds not graded by reputable organizations often cannot be clearly traced, are easily “legalized” through multiple intermediary layers, and carry the risk of being blood diamonds.

Request Documents Proving Origin

A transparent diamond needs complete records and documents. In addition to the grading certificate, buyers should review:

• Customs import invoice
• Kimberley Process certification for rough diamonds
• Legal transport documents from the mining country
• Information about the supplier

• Does this diamond have official import documentation?
• Which country is the supplier from?
• Is that country on the Kimberley Process list?

Choose Brands That Publicly Disclose Their Ethical Sourcing Policy

Ethical Sourcing is a brand’s commitment to using only diamonds from legal sources, with no connection to conflict or labor exploitation.

Reputable brands often:

• Publicly disclose suppliers
• Publish their Kimberley Process compliance process
• Clearly state a “No Conflict Diamond” policy
• Have a diamond traceability process

Signs of a trustworthy brand: 

• Has an Ethical Policy Statement
• Works with GIA-recognized suppliers
• Is willing to show official import documents
• Has a sustainable mining orientation or prioritizes certified lab-grown diamond sources

Avoid Buying Diamonds Priced Too Cheaply Compared to the Market

Diamond prices worldwide are based on the Rapaport price list and rarely differ too much.

If a diamond is much cheaper than the market, it usually comes with one of these risks:

• No certification
• Unknown origin
• High likelihood of being smuggled diamonds or blood diamonds

An excessively low price often reflects a lack of transparency in origin.

Buy Officially Customs-Imported Diamonds

Officially imported diamonds always have an HS code, certificate of origin/value declaration (C/O), and KPCS certification (for rough diamonds).

In addition, the product must fully pay import tax and VAT, helping ensure the goods are not linked to smuggling activities - one of the pathways leading to blood diamonds.

Choosing a reputable diamond brand is how you avoid blood diamonds

Jemmia diamonds: Transparent Origin, Saying No to Blood Diamonds

Jemmia is committed to supplying only diamonds with legal, transparent origins and no connection to conflict. All Jemmia products are carefully selected from GIA sources and strictly comply with the Kimberley Process - an international organization aimed at preventing the global trade of blood diamonds.

Jemmia understands that the true beauty of diamonds lies not only in their brilliant sparkle, but also in the ethical values behind them. Therefore, when choosing Jemmia, you not only own a precious piece of jewelry, but also contribute to supporting a fairer and more humane diamond industry.

Mr. Ahmed Bin Sulayem serves as Chairman of the Kimberley Process (KP) for the 2024 term

Mr. Ahmed Bin Sulayem is the executive chairman of DMCC, (also Chairman of the Kimberley Process for the 2016 and 2024 terms), currently regarded as the “global gateway of the rough diamond industry,” where all diamonds must comply with strict inspection standards before being allowed to circulate in the international market.

Jemmia is a direct partner of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE). This means Jemmia’s diamond source is accessed directly from trading platforms tightly controlled by the international legal system, where transparency and anti-conflict diamond measures are prioritized.

Discover the journey of Jemmia diamonds - The journey of ethical standards here: 

The dark history of blood diamonds is a reminder that not every diamond is created from purity and joy. We at Jemmia always strive to bring customers transparent, legal diamonds, mined and produced according to the highest ethical standards. Let the sparkling beauty of diamonds reflect not only love but also respect for people and the environment.

See now: Diamond prices officially customs-imported at Jemmia Diamond