Blood Diamond

Case: Blood Diamond

1. The origin of a diamond starts hundreds of miles below the surface of the earth where molten rock heats pure carbon under immense pressure and the diamond crystals are form. Over time, volcanic activity pushes the diamond closer to the surface of the earth, usually along with a mineral called kimberlite. Kimberlite deposits form in vast pipes beneath the ground and stretch to the surface where they are noticeable by the bluish hue they give to the ground. It is here in these kimberlite pipes that diamond miners look when searching for diamond deposits.

2. In our society diamonds symbolize a powerful token of love, purity and prosperity. Due to this symbolization, diamonds are commonly used as gifts to represent unending love in events such as; weddings, engagements, anniversaries and a new beginning or serious commitment such as a promise ring.

3. A conflict diamonds are diamonds that are illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa. The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds as; diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.

4. According to the human rights groups, conflict diamonds are still a problem today because diamonds mined in rebel-held areas such as Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country in the midst of a volatile conflict, are reaching the international diamond market. Conflict diamonds from Liberia are also being smuggled into neighboring countries and exported as part of the legitimate diamond trade.

5. World Diamond Council initiated awareness by launching a multimillion-dollar public relations campaign in anticipation of the movie's release. The group has taken out full-page ads in major newspapers and launched a Web site...