Diamonds are a soldier's best friend.

Everyone might be talking about the new and shapely Bond in Casino Royale, but this weekend my family enjoyed Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day. The film’s mention of ‘conflict’ diamonds reminded me of the complex political and ethical issues you still run into when it comes to buying a solitaire, or a ‘right hand ring’ for that matter.

‘Conflict’ diamonds are diamonds mined in war zones which are then illegally sold on the international market to finance further war and atrocity, mainly in Sierra Leone, Angola and Liberia. It’s a trade banned by international treaties dating back to 2000. However, a recent report from the U.S. Government claims that ‘conflict’ diamonds are still getting through to unwitting American consumers.

Since the UN approved Kimberley Process, which was designed to prevent conflict diamonds entering the market was broadly agreed by the diamond industry, the press has been intermittently interested in the issue; it was disappointing to search the BBC website and find their last reference dated 2004. The entertainment industry is doing a little better: rappers Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and Talib Kweli have all recorded songs around the topic.

Meanwhile, the new Warner Bros. movie Blood Diamonds, starring Leonardo DiCaprio is already making headlines ahead of release in early December. Press reports claim that although during filming in Africa the studio promised funds for new artificial limbs for children and young people injured in violence funded by conflict diamonds, no money has yet been forthcoming.

The case against diamonds is growing with this week’s appeal by Survival International on behalf of the Kalahari Bushmen who, they allege, are being pushed off their land by diamond mining interests.

Read for yourself at http://www.survival-international.org/news.php?id=1872

Ethical alternatives to a girl’s best friend? suggestions please