How Much Should A Diamond Cost?

Liberian ex-president Charles Taylor is currently facing trial in The Hague for war crimes which include murder, rape and ultimately, fuelling the civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone by arming the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in exchange for 'blood diamonds'. Almost nine years later, the sale of 'blood diamonds' continues to be problem. FashionAlbedo correspondent Rachel Vincent, explores how to make sure those jewel purchases remain guilt-free.

A few years ago, the last thing on most people’s minds when shopping for diamonds was whether or not the path from mine to display case was spotted with the blood of innocent miners and villagers.

But increased media coverage and activism, following the bloody civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, have increased cultural consciousness to the realities of Africa's diamond trade. Kanye has rapped about them, and the term was the title of a 2006 blockbuster starring Djimon Hounsou and Leonardo DiCaprio; these days, there is no excuse for purchasing blood diamonds.

Blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds, are mined in war zones and sold to finance the activities of insurgencies and warlords. They have supported the RUF insurgency in Sierra Leone, and wars in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and purportedly continue to support rebels in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Kimberley Process was adopted by much of the world in 2003 as a way to ensure the origins of rough diamonds. By many measures it seems to be working — the Democratic Republic of Congo was banned for noncompliance in 2004, and the situation Sierra Leone is considered to have been greatly improved as a result. The truth is, however, that enforcement is nearly impossible in many areas, and ‘legal’ and ‘illegal’ diamonds can easily be sold together when purchased from villagers rather than mined by companies. Diamonds from Zimbabwe’s Marange fields were just recently banned pending the decision of Kimberley Process monitors, after being warned in November to improve conditions.But how does one avoid purchasing blood diamonds?

Ultimately, it’s difficult if not impossible to know with absolute certainty whether or not the pendant or pin you are looking to buy is completely conflict-free, though there are steps you can take to lessen the possibility of buying a blood diamond.
It’s always a good idea to ask retailers about their Conflict Free Diamonds store policy, and where the diamonds they use originated. There are several grassroots movements that inform consumers of the policies of individual jewelers. Stop Blood Diamonds has a website with a list of jewelers committed to preventing the sale of conflict diamonds. If you live or shop in Canada, check for shops that comply with the Voluntary Code of Conduct for Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims, which requires that retailers keep track of where their stones come from.
So the next time you’re out shopping for something sparkly, don’t forget to be a bit inquisitive of your jeweler — the only diamonds worthy of being a girl’s best friend are guilt-free ones.
Rachel Vincent

photos courtesy of sosij, Amnesty International & FashionMag