Since 1998 the international diamond industry has shown great concern about illegal diamonds that have found their way into jewellery shops around the world. Along with gold, diamonds are one of the most sought after article of trade known to man as it offers enormous financial returns. Found in many countries worldwide, diamonds are currently mined in 26 countries including some civil war torn African states such as Angola, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo where diamonds are mined by rebels opposed to the current ruling government.

Needing logistics to feed, and arm their armies these rebel factions use the selling of uncut diamonds to earn funds to support their cause. Although most of the diamonds found in these countries are under government control still a few illegal diamonds manage to find its way into legal trades. Mixed along with
legitimate shipments makes the contraband stones undetectable and are easily shipped out of the country to diamond traders in Europe.

Because profit made on the trading of uncut diamonds is based on how fast the stones are delivered, little scrutiny is given to the point of origin with these trades. The buyer’s concern then is focused on the immediate processing of the stones for its sale to jewellery makers and finding its way to jewellery stores worldwide. Thus making the sale of illegal diamonds even more viable and lucrative. At this stage the now cut and polished diamonds become legal commodities as they have been bought and sold through legitimate trading. So too the money earned from these trades.

In the 1990’s The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) was able to earn over in 6 years $3.7 billion to support its civil war campaign in Angola with the sale of such diamonds.