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Conflict Diamonds or Blood Diamonds as they are some times known, are diamonds that are sold to fund the unlawful and illegal operations of rebel, military and terrorist groups.

The trade in these illicit stones has contributed to devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. The proceeds from the sale of conflict diamonds are also said to fund terrorist activity throughout the world.

In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, unanimously, a resolution on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict, breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds and armed conflict, as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflicts.

Within the diamond community some South African countries with a legitimate diamond trade began a campaign to track the origins of all rough diamonds, attempting to halt the sales of stones from conflict areas. Their efforts eventually resulted in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which began in January 2003. The diamond industry has been implementing the system of warranties in an international effort to rid the world of conflict diamonds forever.

For more information, please visit www.kimberleyprocess.com