Blood Diamond

/ ˈblʌd ˌdaɪə.mənd / terminology /

RE: CONFLICT, ETHICS, HUMAN RIGHTS, TRADE, VIOLENCE

A blood diamond is a diamond that has been mined in an area controlled by armed groups and sold to fund violence, war, or rebel movements. These diamonds are often linked to severe human rights abuses, including forced labour, child exploitation, and the destruction of communities in conflict zones. The people who mine them usually work in dangerous and exploitative conditions, receiving little or no pay.

The term became widely known during brutal civil wars in countries like Sierra Leone and Angola, where diamonds were used to buy weapons and fuel prolonged fighting. Blood diamonds highlight the dark side of the global jewellery industry—where a product often associated with luxury and love may carry a hidden cost of suffering and violence.

This issue sparked global awareness and calls for more ethical sourcing of gemstones. Today, "blood diamond" remains a powerful reminder of how consumer goods can be linked to conflict, and why transparency in global supply chains is so important.

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