Blood Diamond - not sponsored, please read

Watched the movie? I just did and I'd highly recommend it to all of you, especially those of you who love that precious stone. Stars in the movie include Leo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou. The story sets in the background of Sierra Leone in Africa, which had been taken over by the rebel forces during the civil war in the year 1999. Danny Archer (DiCap) sets off with Solomon Vandy (Hounsou) to recover a rare pink diamond buried by Vandy when he mined for diamonds as a slave to the rebels, while Vandy's purpose is to search for his son, Dia, who was captured by the rebels and conscripted as a child soldier.

Ever wondered why they are called blood diamonds? Read about conflict diamonds (make sure you click 'Find out more about conflict diamonds'). Now does that make you think about where that stone on your ring come from? Well not all diamonds are blood diamonds. It was told in the movie that conflict diamonds are mixed with the 'clean' diamonds in the process, and then how are we to tell the difference?

In November 2002, Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was created to impose extensive requirements on participants to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from conflict diamonds. "Participants are only allowed to trade rough diamonds with other participants. The aim is to prevent blood diamonds from entering the Kimberley Process system." (Quoted from The Kimberley Process at Risk). Now that you learned about The Kimberley Process, it's good to know that Australia, Malaysia and USA are a few of its many participants.

So what can we do to help? Relax, I'm not asking you (or your partner) to stop purchasing 'a girl's best friend'. When you would like to buy one, just make sure that it is not a conflict diamond. Ask the salesperson these four questions. I'm sure they'll be happy to help. If not then there are plenty of other stores that would like to do business with you. Just do your own bit, for the sake of the children of Africa.