Conflict Diamonds: Symbols For Power, And Prices

Diamonds have been a symbol of love and commitment for centuries, as well as a symbol for power and wealth. They were thought to be tears of the gods by the Greeks and splinters of stars by the Romans (“History Of Diamonds”). Their rarity, strength, and unparallel beauty have resulted in a high price of up to $28,400 per carat for a high quality cut diamond (“Diamond Price per Carat”). However, though most don’t know it, the pure perfect diamonds being sold in stores are part of a very bloody process. Of 246 diamond retailers in the U.S., only 27% were able to assure they had a policy on conflict diamonds (“Conflict Diamond Statistics”). However, even more disappointing were the customers, with 83% of these retailers saying that customers rarely or never inquired about conflict diamonds (“Conflict Diamond Statistics”).
What are these conflict diamonds? Conflict diamonds are illegally traded, rough diamonds that are used to fund armed conflict and civil wars (Armstrong). Usually, these diamonds are obtained and sold through violence, smuggling, worker exploitation and environmental degradation (“Blood Diamond Exposé”). Rebel groups in conflict-ridden countries mine diamonds, a natural resource, to buy arms and pay soldiers to sustain their rebellions (“Conflict Diamonds” Amnesty). Diamonds are a very smart choice in this case because of their small size, odorless scent and high prices. Workers who mine these diamonds are not only being physically abused, but also living in extreme poverty ("Blood Diamond Exposé."). Child labor has been forced upon children, working in very hard conditions that are dangerous and de-humanizing (“Blood Diamond Exposé”). Currently, these diamonds are being included in the international diamond market...

... middle of paper ...

...ers to put more effort into making sure the diamonds they sell are 100% conflict free due to pressure from their customers (“Conflict Diamonds” Amnesty).
Similar to Amnesty, a solution I came up with is to simply inform the public of the existence of blood diamonds and question local jewelers their source of diamonds. Because I am not specifically well known in society, this way is the easiest way for me to make an impact. Most people don’t even know the existence of blood diamonds. One example being me, I had no idea what conflict diamonds were before. Because of this, most would not even think to question their jewelers of their source of diamonds. If people did ask their jewelers of their sources, they would be pressured by their customers to find out more information about their sources and put more effort into ensuring their sources are not conflict diamonds.