Conflict Diamonds: Refraining From Selling or Buying These Diamonds Can Save Lives

Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds have been the subject of controversies for a long period of time. History tells us that conflict diamonds have sent a number of nations mostly in Africa to war in the past several years. In most cases, the control over the diamond mines started in the war in these areas and later on, the proceeds of the sales of these conflict diamonds funded the perpetuation of the wars.

Since the proceeds of the sales of these diamonds are used to purchase more arms and artillery, the United Nations forbid countries from purchasing these diamonds. The idea was to cut off the market for this diamonds and force the perpetrators into bankruptcy. The general belief was that once the sales of the diamonds becomes close to zero, the people who are controlling the mines will eventually give up and leave the area.

Unfortunately, closing down the legal market for the conflict diamonds did not really force the people controlling the mines into bankruptcy. By clandestinely selling the conflict diamonds across the borders, people who are controlling these mines are still able to get the money and the arms that they need. Yes, it is quite disheartening to see that even though the United Nations has issued sanctions against the trading of conflict diamonds, many people still do not really care about the whole thing.

Help Make A Difference

One of the reasons why the violence in the areas of Angola, Liberia and Sierra Leone continues is strong demand for diamonds in the world market. Buyers and sellers of bloods diamonds actually contributed to the perpetuation of violence in the diamond mines in some countries. However, the good news is that you as a buyer of diamonds can do a lot of difference by ceasing to transact business with people who are selling blood diamonds. Always remember that there are other sources of diamonds so you not really have to buy diamonds that have been taken from mines in conflict areas. You can still get a lot of business from other diamonds mines.

Refraining from buying conflict diamonds can save a lot of lives. Always remember that most of the people controlling the mines in conflict areas stay in power because they have arms and heavy artilleries at their disposal. You can help prevent the flow of arms and munitions to the conflict areas by refraining from doing business with these people.