blood diamond

I just saw the film Blood Diamond. It's been out in theatres for a few months now and I've only managed to see it now. It is a compelling story about conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone. The acting by both Leonardo di Caprio and Djimon Hounsou was top notch. I would recommend this movie, particularly because it has more than the stock plots we see too often nowadays. I am also not offering a review of the film, as you probably will find more worthwhile reviews in rotten tomatoes or some other site.

I wrote an article about diamonds in December 2002. It was a look at the diamond industry from the conflict diamonds to the diamond mines in Canada's north. It was written months before the ratification and implementation of the Kimberly Process in August 2003 so it won't provide the evaluation of the Kimberley process but it might give some information about some of the other issues related to diamonds.

The Kimberley process is a certification scheme that creates standards for the import and export of diamonds. It assures the buyer that the rough diamond is purchased legally, without aiding rebel groups (such as the RUF). The Kimberley process though has been criticized from its implementation since it lacks transparency and appropriate monitoring and regulation measures. Since its 'implementation' some have criticized it as a mere publicity stunt for the diamond industry.

Some critics have really been unhappy with the overt 'preachy' message of the film but I am really pleased that the stories so important to the lives of many in some of the forgotten places on earth are still told (though a few years late).