Most people are unaware of the role diamonds play in bringing real benefits to people in the countries around the world where diamonds are sourced. Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa. It is also in Africa that this same resource has been used to fund conflict. In 2000, a coalition of governments, non-governmental organizations and the diamond industry worked together to address this issue. In 2002, they established the Kimberley Process Certification System, a UN-backed process that has virtually eliminated the trade in conflict diamonds. Today, over 99% of the world's supply of diamonds is from sources free of conflict. Diamondfacts.org is dedicated to presenting the facts about conflict diamonds, along with how diamonds are driving economic growth and prosperity in countries around the world.

Fact #1:	An estimated 5 million people have access to appropriate healthcare globally thanks to revenues from diamonds. (read more)
Fact #5:	Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13. (read more)
Fact #3:	An estimated 10 million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry. (read more)
Fact #14:	The charity Jewelers for Children funds a community based care program for orphaned children in South Africa. (read more)
Fact #4:	The diamond mining industry generates over 40% of Namibia's annual export earnings. (read more)
Fact #11:	The Diamond Development Initiative was established to improve the working conditions of artisanal miners. (read more)
Fact #8:	Approximately one million people are employed by the diamond industry in India. (read more)
Fact #9:	Approximately $8.5 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries. (read more)
Fact #12:	The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. (read more)
Fact #15:	An estimated 65% of the world's diamonds come from African countries. (read more)
More Facts

"strengthening the developmental impacts associated with artisanal diamond mining in Africa"
click below to read DDI's latest issue of dDiscourse

Keynote Perspective - Dorothée Gizenga interviews Joaquim Chissano

DDII Expressions - Child's Play by Ian Smillie

Feature Article - Gold & Diamonds by Shawn Blore

Developmental Outlook - Homeward Bound: Helping Sierra Leone's Diggers out of the Pits by Joan Baxter

For more information on alluvial mining, click here to read the WDC's Alluvial Diamond
Fact Sheet. »