Conflict Diamonds

Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments, controversial for their ethical implications.

Part of speech: noun
Definition: Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, are diamonds mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, an invading army's war efforts, or a warlord's activity. These diamonds thus play a central role in sustaining military conflicts and human rights abuses, leading to significant international concerns. The global community, through initiatives like the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, seeks to stem the flow of conflict diamonds by ensuring that diamond sales do not fund violence. Despite such measures, the trade in conflict diamonds continues in certain areas, posing ethical dilemmas for consumers and challenges for the diamond industry. The controversy surrounding these diamonds has prompted a greater demand for transparency, ethical sourcing, and certification in the jewelry market.