All over a gem

When he proposed to his girlfriend, Tom Zoellner gave what is expected of every American man--a diamond engagement ring. But when the relationship broke apart, he was left with a used diamond that began to haunt him. His obsession carried him around the globe; from the "blood diamond" rings of Africa; to the sweltering polishing factories of India; to mines above the Arctic Circle; to illegal diggings in Brazil; to the London headquarters of De Beers, the secretive global colossus that has dominated the industry for more than a century and permanently carved the phrase "A diamond is forever" on the psyche. world's most unyielding gem.

The diamond haunts him and he wonders if the diamond is a blood diamond. Many of the diamonds are blood diamonds and this would also make me wonder as well. Once i get my engagement ring I will question and wonder if my diamond is a blood diamond or not. The symbol of love could cause a family to get torn apart while to others mean the world by it.

Everyone is impacted and affected in this!!

Not only were the parents involved but the children were affected as well. "For the children, such attention would come none too soon. They feel it's time the government did its bit and they have been trying to find an opportunity to discuss their concerns with the decision makers. http://pangaea.org/street_children/africa/luanda.htm

Diamonds in a negative aspect!

Angola, the third largest country in Africa, should be flourishing. With diamond and oil resources worth over $2 billion per year, Angola has the opportunity for economic and political stability comparable to that of Botswana and Namibia. But Angola is devastated after nearly 40 years of civil war. Despite its natural resources, over 90% of Angolans live in poverty, two-thirds of them on less than a dollar a day. <http://www.professionaljeweler.com/archives/hottopics/angola.html>.
 The places have the resources they need they are just choosing not to use them as a positive, instead it is causing war and poverty.

The Blood Diamond Conflict

"Sierra Leone, originally a British Colony, mined diamonds legitimately and profitably until its Independence in 1961.  It was first mined in 1935 by De Beers, which had a 99-year contract granting it full control of all mining operations.  After Sierra Leone’s independence, a series of corrupt leaders used the diamond trade purely to help them manipulate their people, bring riches to the ruling factions, and buy weaponry to arm those in power against those that might oppose them.  Mines were nationalized at this time, prompting the departure of De Beers."  http://www.stanford.edu/class/e297a/Conflict%20diamonds%20in%20West%20Africa.htm The diamond trade is getting dangerous and men are trading diamonds for guns and causing an all out war.

Blood Diamonds

"Rough diamond caches have often been used by rebel forces to finance arms purchases and other illegal activities. Neighbouring and other countries can be used as trading and transit grounds for illicit diamonds. Once diamonds are brought to market, their origin is difficult to trace and once polished, they can no longer be identified." http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html Once found the diamonds the men can either go to the forces of who they work for or can sell them to venders to get more money for their diamond, however this is illegal so they are taking a chance. The diamonds however are not tracked and once polished and cut a diamond is a diamond. The man has got away with it and has provided more money for his family.