'Blood Diamond' and Conflict

November 30, 2006 -- Responding to the movie "Blood Diamond," the diamond industry has mounted a campaign to consumers reassuring them that its gems are "clean." The World Diamond Council links to diamondfacts.org, which states 99% of diamonds are now from conflict-free sources.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio: "When [diamond] corporations go into war zones like this and cause all this civil unrest and people to lose their lives and child soldiers and refugees and people being displaced, you know, you want to eradicate things like conflict diamonds. So if I ever did buy one, I would ask the right questions. I'd make sure they could verify it didn't come from a conflict zone."

"Blood Diamond" Director-Producer Ed Zwick: "[The diamond corporations] were shamed into doing better, and they have done better, but they can still do better. You know, their job as an industry is to enhance the image of their product. That's what they do. It's my job as a filmmaker to tell the truth about what happened."

Amnesty International and Global Witness have joined forces to produce a Web site to raise public awareness on conflict diamonds at blooddiamondaction.org.

"Despite all the tragedies that blood diamonds have caused, neither governments nor the diamond industry is doing enough to stop them," said Global Witness Director Charmian Gooch. "The Web site gives consumers a chance to educate themselves on blood diamonds and take action to end this shameful trade."

Four questions to ask when buying diamonds:

1. Do you know where the diamonds you sell come from?

2. Can I see a copy of your company's policy on conflict diamonds?

3. Can you show me a written guarantee from your diamond suppliers that shows that your diamonds are conflict-free?

4. How can I be sure that none of your jewelry contains conflict diamonds?

Links:
diamondfacts.org
blooddiamondaction.org

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