The UN defines blood or conflict diamonds as "diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognised governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council."
Simply put, a blood diamond is a diamond that has been mined and illegally traded to fund rebel fighters and insurgencies. The trade of blood diamonds fund and prolong these illegitimate wars and violence.
Queensmith does not support the mining or trade of blood diamonds. When established legally and legitimately, diamond mining industries are hugely beneficial to local economies, encouraging both economic and social development; funding schools, funding infrastructure, establishing trade relationships, and so on. We are proud to be a part of an industry that harbours legitimate and fair growth, and support the UN's Kimberley Process initiative, which puts a total ban on the international trade of conflict or blood diamonds. We only work with the most transparent and internationally respected diamond suppliers.
Learn more about our ethical engagement rings.