What is conflict diamonds?

The UN formally defines a conflict diamond as a "diamond that originates from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and is used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council." Conflict diamonds are diamonds that are mined from countries which there is war or armed conflict. Diamonds obtain a very high price in almost any market so when sold to a country with no shortage; a very large amount of money is gotten for them. But where does the profit go? War in Sierra Leone over conflict diamonds has become an important concern across the globe as over 50,000 people have died due to these wars and people all over the world have been consumed by these diamonds using them for superficial uses such as wedding rings, necklaces and ‘bling-bling’ but many are unaware of the blood spilt for them to look good. Rap stars such rapper Kanye West raised the issue of conflict “blood” diamonds in his song “Diamonds” (featuring Jay-Z). In the song, West voices his own inner conflict with diamonds:

See, a part of me say keep shinin’
How? When I know what a “Blood Diamond” is …