Most diamonds are from Africa, where they are mined with bare hands. They often fiance civil wars, and put human lives in danger. These diamonds are called blood diamonds better known as conflict diamonds.
When going to your retailer, inform yourself with the knowledge and laws of buying diamonds. Ask if your diamond is conflict free. Ask for the certificate, and if buying rough cuts never buy stones from Angola, Liberia or Sierra Leone, nor the Dem of Republic of Congo.
The best rule of thumb is to ask many questions to your retailer. You want to ask them questions on the company's conflict diamond policy under the Kimberley Process, and the World Diamond Councils Chain of Warranties. If your retailer does not know about these two things, and you buy their diamond you will be contributing to a civil war, that is killing many men, women and children.
Make sure your diamond has a written guarantee that it is conflict free. The law states that new regulation laws ( Kimberley process ) retailers must provide this guarantee. If not. that is a good hint your diamond is a blood diamond. And was obtained through illegal harvesting.
Retailers that share information with you, are abiding by diamond laws. Be informed about diamond laws before you purchase one.
If given documentation that does not look right, or if your retailer had a hard time answering your questions, something is wrong. If you don't feel comfortable, than leave the diamond there.
Just knowing you took the time to ensure a safe purchase will give you piece of mind that you are not supporting terrorism. Being a informed consumer is one step to changing that in the world.
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