Of course diamonds are expensive, but those trading diamonds usually extract a better price than they’re worth. Diamonds are mined in certain politically and economically unstable parts of Africa that has developed black markets for selling of those diamonds and the funds so gathered are often used for financing wars, thus putting human lives to danger. Diamonds from this part of the world are called ‘blood diamonds’ and one should refrain from buying these.

Do Not Buy Blood Diamonds On Humanitarian Grounds

1. As you enter a store, before you start browsing, ask the owner if he can testify that he is not selling any blood diamonds. Such an attitude on the part of buyers forces vendors to be watchful of the origin of their stones.

2. Enquire the vendor of the origins of the stone you intend buying and ask where and when was it mined. A vendor who is prompt in responding to your question can be relied upon.

3. Buy stones of those countries that comply with the United Nations 2003 charter known as the Kimberley Process. As per this charter the sellers are debarred from dealing with blood diamonds. The list includes the U.S., China, Israel and South Africa.

4. It’s still better to be buying from Canada, which has still stringent controls, ensuring that no blood diamonds enter there.

5. Explore the possibility of buying antique jewelry or anything that was made prior to 1990, the year of West African conflicts getting started in Sierra Leone.

6. Consider having synthetic diamonds. Else, go for jewelry studded with cubic zirconia or moissanite, rather than having natural diamonds.

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