In the 1990s, blood diamonds constituted up to 15% of the global trade, generating huge profits from consumer sales. 3. Companies and State-Linked Entities
"Blood diamonds"—or —are rough diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance insurgencies, terrorism, or illegal armed groups fighting against legitimate governments. Despite the implementation of the Kimberley Process (KP) in 2003, which aimed to curb their trade, blood diamonds still find their way into the legitimate market. who buys blood diamonds
The initial buyers are typically black-market merchants and organized crime syndicates, particularly in West and Central Africa. In the 1990s, blood diamonds constituted up to
Because blood diamonds can be mixed with legitimate stocks and subsequently cut and polished, they become virtually identical to non-conflict diamonds, making them difficult to detect once they reach consumers. Despite the implementation of the Kimberley Process (KP)
Jewellers and wholesalers may unwittingly purchase diamonds that passed through illicit channels, as traffickers hide the diamonds' origins.
In modern cases, blood diamonds are not always linked to non-state rebels; sometimes, they are linked to state-sanctioned abuses or forced labor.
Some buying houses have been documented purchasing diamonds in conflict areas without adequately investigating if they financed armed groups. 2. The International Jewelry Market