Diamonds From Sierra Leone

There has been much speculation about whether or not you should purchase diamonds from Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa that has long been known for its questionable practices of diamond mining. There are a great number of those who advocate the boycotting of buying diamonds from Sierra Leone; but there are just as many who believe that the entire situation has been blown out of proportion by the media, and that diamonds are diamonds regardless of where they come from.

Who Buys These Diamonds

Truth be told, there are very few respectable jewelers who will purchase diamonds from Sierra Leone, since news coverage of the despicable mining conditions hit the media. If you are concerned about whether or not one of the diamonds you are considering have been imported from the Sierra Leone diamond mines, you should talk to your jeweler, and ask to see certification of the stone’s origins.

Controversial Mining Practices

It has been said that the men, women, and children working these mines in Sierra Leone are little more than slaves; who must work in dimly lit, poorly aired conditions, searching for the smallest diamonds they can in the effort of trying to find small diamonds that can be sold to tourists for small amounts to support their families.

It’s also been reported that the majority of diamonds from Sierra Leone, otherwise known as blood diamonds, are being used by the rebel forces to fund their terrorist activities, and wars. A recent movie in Hollywood, depicted the situation as dire and desperate; and portrayed the life of a man who was caught stealing one of these precious diamonds for his own family. He is then hunted by the rebel army, and his son is taken to replace him in the mines.

Those in Hollywood are not the only ones who have discouraged the purchase of diamonds from Sierra Leone. Celebrities and public figures around the world are urging people to discontinue their purchases of diamonds from Sierra Leone, in the hope that it will force those in charge to end the terrible mining practices which are now killing hundreds each year.

If you are concerned that you may already own diamonds from Sierra Leone, talk to the jeweler from whom you purchased your stones, and ask to see the certificates of origin for your particular diamonds. Most reputable jewelers will be more than happy to disclose the true origin of your diamonds, so that you can rest assured that you do not own any diamonds from Sierra Leone.