Where are Diamonds Illegally Mined?
Quick answer
This page answers Where are diamonds illegally mined? quickly.
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Diamonds are illegally mined in various countries around the world, particularly in war-torn areas of Africa, such as Angola, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe, where violations of human rights in diamond mines are well-documented. These conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, are mined using forced labor and are traded illegally to fund violent conflicts and human rights abuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Conflict Diamonds
- What is illegal diamond mining?: Illegal diamond mining refers to the mining of diamonds in areas where it is prohibited, often using forced labor and child labor, and selling them to fund armed conflicts against legitimate governments.
- Are diamonds still mined unethically?: Although 99% of natural diamonds are considered conflict-free, many diamonds marketed as “conflict-free” are not ethically sourced due to a lack of accountability in the diamond supply chain.
- Are blood diamonds illegal in the United States?: The Clean Diamond Trade Act prohibits the importation into, or exportation from, the U.S. of any rough diamond unless it has been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).
About Diamond Mining
- Where can I find raw diamonds in the US?: Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park is one of the only diamond-producing sites in the world where the public can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source.
- Are black diamonds real diamonds?: Yes, black diamonds are real diamonds, and they can be found in nature or created through heat treatment.
- How corrupt is the diamond industry?: The diamond trade is often marked by severe human rights abuse and corruption, enabling practices such as illicit mining and commodity mispricing.
About Ethical Diamonds
- Are Tiffany diamonds ethical?: Tiffany & Co. only offers conflict-free diamonds and has taken rigorous steps to assure that conflict diamonds do not enter their inventory.
- Is the diamond industry still corrupt?: Although many conflicts have ended, the issue of conflict diamonds remains prevalent, and the diamond industry is still often marked by appalling violence.
- What is the black diamond slang?: Black Diamond is a term used to refer to a member of the new black middle class in South Africa.
About Diamond Facts
- What is the biggest diamond ever found?: The Cullinan Diamond is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, weighing 3,106 carats (621.20 g).
- What are the horrors of diamond mining?: Diamond mining is often marked by appalling violence, human rights abuses, and forced labor.
- Are Costco diamonds ethically sourced?: Costco diamonds are procured from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and comply with the United Nations resolutions set forth by the Kimberley Process procedure.
About Blood Diamonds
- What country has blood diamonds?: Blood diamonds originate from war-torn countries in Africa, such as Sierra Leone, Angola, and Liberia.
- How true is Blood Diamond?: The film Blood Diamond depicts real events and experiences of individuals in Sierra Leone during the civil war.
- Can a jeweler tell if a diamond is lab-created?: Yes, jewelers can determine whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown by relying on scientific methods and credible sources.