Blood diamonds are diamonds that are mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict against governments. These diamonds are also known as conflict diamonds, as they fuel violence and bloodshed in countries where they are mined. The term "blood diamond" was first used in the late 1990s, when reports of diamond-fueled civil wars in Africa began to emerge.

The history of blood diamonds can be traced back to the 1990s, when civil wars were raging in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Rebel groups in these countries began to fund their war efforts by selling diamonds on the black market. These diamonds were often smuggled across borders and sold to dealers in Europe and the United States.

The impact of blood diamonds on the diamond trade industry has been significant. The diamond trade is worth billions of dollars, and blood diamonds account for a small but significant portion of that trade. The discovery of blood diamonds has led to a global effort to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was established in 2003 to regulate the diamond trade and prevent the sale of conflict diamonds.

Despite the efforts of the KPCS, blood diamonds still make their way into the diamond trade. Some countries have failed to implement the KPCS regulations, while others have found ways to circumvent them. The diamond trade industry must remain vigilant in its efforts to prevent the sale of conflict diamonds and support the development of sustainable and ethical diamond mining practices.

Works Cited:
Global Witness. "Blood Diamonds." Global Witness, https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/diamonds/.