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Beneath the Surface: Uncovering the Truth About Blood Diamonds
Written and Researched By: Nandana Jeevan
Published By: Meredith Yuen
Published: 23rd February 2026
What price are we willing to pay for luxury? The ongoing issue of blood diamonds urges us to reflect on our purchasing decisions and the hidden costs behind this precious commodity.
What are blood diamonds?
Despite what one might initially envision when considering diamonds, often perceived as symbols of love and wealth, blood diamonds expose a more harrowing reality. Blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds are defined as diamonds that are illicitly traded and mined in order to fund armed conflicts in war-torn areas. These diamonds are often excavated under dire circumstances, involving men, women, and children who are subjected to inhumane working conditions. (Baker & Tshikapa, n.d.) The concept of blood diamonds emerged in the late 1990s amidst the existence of violent civil wars across Africa that were closely connected with the excavation and trading of rough diamonds (Science for a Changing World, 2022).
(Global Witness cited what it called Kimberley Process failures in Ivory Coast, Venezuela and Zimbabwe [File: Reuters], Al Jazeera, Dec 5, 2011)
Civil wars
One notable civil war was the 1975 Angolan Civil War, immediately following the nation's independence from Portugal. This conflict was marked by a fierce power struggle between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). (World Diamond Council, n.d.) The war’s violence was aggravated by the illicit diamond trade, with UNITA earning an estimate of $3.72 billion. The funds earned from diamond excavation were crucial for sustaining the conflict as they became the primary source of revenue, allowing UNITA to finance its military operations (Hoekstra, 2019).
This conflict thrust many individuals into a cycle of exploitation and violence, as rebel groups controlling diamond-rich regions compelled locals into working under dire conditions. Miners were pressured to labour in dangerous environments with improper training and rudimentary equipment, exposing themselves to a multitude of life threatening risks. The health impacts on Angolan citizens cannot be overlooked, as diamond mining has resulted in numerous health issues, including respiratory problems, skin diseases, and long-term disorders due to exposure to harmful substances like mercury (Hoekstra, 2019). The establishment of the Kimberly Process in 2003 marked a turning point, allowing Angola to transition into a significant contender in the diamond industry (Houenou, 2026). Angola is now currently the world’s third-largest producer of rough diamonds by volume, showcasing remarkable transformation following the establishment of guidelines (Banya et al., 2025).
(Congolese workers search for rough diamonds Kangambala mine in Lunged, in the south west region of Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the heart of the diamond mining area in the DRC, Aryn Baker / Tshikapa, TIME, Aug 27, 2015)
Similarly, the civil war that erupted in Côte d'Ivoire in 2002 had profound impacts on the lives of citizens throughout the country. The First Ivorian Civil War was a civil conflict that divided the nation into the government controlled south and the rebel north, led by a group called the New Forces. The attempted military coup seeking to challenge the government of President Laurent Gbagbo plunged the nation into a five year conflict (EBSCO, n.d.).
Akin to Angola, diamonds played a massive role in the funding of the war and became an extremely valuable resource. The rebel groups engaged in large scale diamond mining to fund their military operations, controlling mining territories through violence and intimidation. Impoverished civilians were forced to work in mines under abysmal working conditions in order to survive, with little hope for betterment or escape from their dire circumstances. Women and children especially became vulnerable as they faced forced labour and violence at the whims of the armed factions. The use of inadequate tools resulted in a high injury risk with many individuals experiencing fractures, lacerations and permanent injuries caused by landslides (NBC News, 2006). Additionally, several miners faced serious respiratory issues after inhaling toxic fumes and dust, leading to various long term health complications. Many children were forced to abandon their education to be able to work in the mines, depriving them of the opportunity to learn essential life skills and have a chance to build a better future for themselves (Human Rights Watch, 2010).
(A traditional miner shows a raw diamond found during a sieving process in Cempaka, Indonesia. (Aditya Aji/AFP via Getty Images, New Lines Magazine, Nov 02, 2023)
The Kimberly Process
The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international, UN-backed certification scheme established in 2003 that aims to ensure the diamond markets are “free from conflict, promoting transparency and accountability across nations.” (Kimberly Process, n.d.) Currently, over 86 countries all over the world are united under the Kimberly Process, representing 99.8% of rough diamond production worldwide. In order for any country to become a member of the Kimberly Process, it must enforce stringent regulatory requirements for the international trade of rough diamonds that comply with Kimberly Process requirements. Additionally, the country must commit to transparent practices by sharing accurate and timely data in order to maintain the integrity of the supply chain. Each diamond exported by a member country is examined and accompanied by an official Kimberly Process certificate, guaranteeing that the diamonds are conflict free. Finally, trading is only allowed exclusively among certified members of the Kimberly process to ensure the integrity of the diamond trade and promote ethical sourcing practices. (Kimberly Process, n.d.)
(10 Things You Should Know About Kimberley Certificate, Jaykrishna Diamond, n.d)
As the demand for conflict-free diamonds grows, so do the challenges associated with illegal mining activities. In response to the rising concerns over illegal diamond mining, organizations such as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was engaged by the U.S. Department of State to analyze and address this issue. According to associate director Peter Chirico, the methods used by the USGS help to “determine the extent and value of mineral production”, helping develop accurate results to assess a country’s true mining capacity. (Science for a Changing World, 2022) This information is particularly beneficial to existing programmes such as the Kimberley Process as it can be used in helping member countries identify and monitor illegal mining operations, thereby reinforcing its mission to promote ethical sourcing practices.
Despite its numerous achievements, several critique the Kimberly Process by arguing that its narrow focus on blood diamonds does not address the broader issues in the diamond supply chain. Critics contend that the Kimberly Processes direction does not attune to the complex nature of geopolitical conflicts, especially when government forces are involved. The Kimberly Process largely focuses on preventing diamonds from funding conflict led by rebels that undermine government forces, inadvertently creating a gap in its effectiveness regarding other forms of violence. In particular, the Kimberly Processes framework does not address situations where legitimate governments may engage in violent actions or human rights abuses funded by diamond revenues. (Sulayem, 2025)
However, advocates of the scheme assert that while the Kimberly Process may not directly address violence perpetrated by legitimate governments, its state-based framework provides a foundation upon which wider reforms can be created. Supporters argue that by ensuring that diamonds from rebel-held areas are excluded from the market, the Kimberley Process has initiated a safer and more stable trading environment. (Sulayem, 2025)
As awareness of blood diamonds rises, both consumers and retailers are pushing for greater transparency in the diamond market. Many diamond retailers are now adding educational resources to their websites, empowering customers to make informed choices and ensuring they can purchase diamonds with the confidence that their selections are ethical.
Glossary
Harrowing: Extremely distressing or painful; deeply upsetting
Illicitly: In a manner that is forbidden by law or rules; illegally
Rough Diamonds: Uncut and unpolished diamonds as they are mined from the earth, before processing
Military coup: A sudden, illegal seizure of power from a government, typically carried out by military forces
Stringent: Strict, precise, and exacting in standards or regulations
References
Baker, A., & Tshikapa. (n.d.). Blood Diamonds. Time. https://time.com/blood-diamonds/
Science for a Changing World. (2022, June 27). USGS Scientists Help Address Conflict Mining | U.S. Geological Survey. USGS.gov. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/usgs-scientists-help-address-conflict-mining
Hoekstra, Q. (2019, 05 14). Conflict diamonds and the Angolan Civil War (1992–2002). Third World Quarterly, 40(7), 1322-1339. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2019.1612740
World Diamond Council. (n.d.). A peace dividend 20 years in the making: The Angola Case Study. World Diamond Council. https://www.worlddiamondcouncil.org/diamond-empowerment-the-angola-case-study/
Houenou, A. S. (2026, 02 10). Angola Defies Diamond Slump With Push to Lift Output Tuesday, 10 February 2026 13:33 email facebook linkedin twitter Whatsapp Angola targets diamond production of 17 million carats by 2027 despite weak prices and rising competition from synthetic diamonds. Ecofin Agency. https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-industry/1002-52746-angola-defies-diamond-slump-with-push-to-lift-output#:~:text=Angola%20aims%20to%20maintain%20its,rising%20competition%20from%20synthetic%20diamonds
Banya, N., Gomes, M., & Fenton, S. (2025, October 31). Angola diamond production totals 10.7 million carats in January-September. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/angola-diamond-production-totals-107-million-carats-january-september-2025-10-31/
EBSCO. (n.d.). Ivory Coast Civil War 2002-2007 | Military History and Science | Research Starters. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/ivory-coast-civil-war-2002-2007
NBC News. (2006, 12 8). Ivory Coast rebels deny blood diamond trade. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16094952
NBC News. (2006, 12 8). Ivory Coast rebels deny blood diamond trade. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16094952
Kimberly Process. (n.d.). Kimberly Process. Kimberley Process | Ensuring Conflict-Free Diamonds Worldwide. https://www.kimberleyprocess.com/
Sulayem, A. b. (2025, 12 03). Ahmed bin Sulayem's Blog. https://ahmedbinsulayem.substack.com/p/indispensable-integrity-why-the-kimberley
