conflict diamond: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Journalistic, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “conflict diamond” mean?
A diamond mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, invading army's war efforts, or a warlord's activity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A diamond mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, invading army's war efforts, or a warlord's activity.
Any diamond whose mining and sale is linked to significant human rights abuses, violence, and funding of armed conflicts, particularly in parts of Africa. The term is strongly associated with campaigns against their trade.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling 'diamond' is identical. Both regions primarily use the term in the same contexts.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations related to war, suffering, and unethical trade.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British media and NGO reports historically, but the term is well-established and equally used in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “conflict diamond” in a Sentence
[verb] + conflict diamonds (e.g., ban, certify, trace)conflict diamonds + [verb] (e.g., fund, fuel)[preposition] + conflict diamonds (e.g., trade in, campaign against)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conflict diamond” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rebels sought to conflict-diamond their way to power. (Note: very rare and non-standard as a verb)
- The government acted to deconflict the diamond trade.
American English
- The regime was accused of conflict-diamonding the region's resources. (Note: very rare and non-standard as a verb)
- They worked to uncertify conflict diamonds.
adverb
British English
- The diamonds were sourced conflict-diamond-free. (Note: highly unusual as an adverb)
- They traded diamonds, allegedly conflict-diamond-ily. (Note: fabricated, for illustration only)
American English
- The company sourced its gems conflict-diamond-responsibly. (Note: compound adverb, rare)
- They mined conflict-diamond-consciously. (Note: fabricated, for illustration only)
adjective
British English
- The conflict-diamond trade was finally addressed by the UN.
- He was involved in conflict-diamond smuggling.
American English
- The conflict-diamond issue dominated the summit.
- New laws targeted conflict-diamond financing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in compliance, due diligence, and corporate social responsibility reports regarding supply chains.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and ethics papers discussing resource wars and trade regulations.
Everyday
Used in discussions about ethical consumerism, documentaries, or news reports about African conflicts.
Technical
Used in gemology and international law, specifically referencing the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conflict diamond”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conflict diamond”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conflict diamond”
- Using it as an adjective before a noun other than 'diamond' (e.g., 'conflict diamond trade' is correct, 'conflict trade diamond' is wrong).
- Confusing it with 'synthetic diamond' or 'lab-grown diamond', which are different concepts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most contexts they are synonyms. 'Blood diamond' is often considered more emotive and journalistic, while 'conflict diamond' is the slightly more formal, technical term used in official documents and treaties.
Their trade is illegal under international agreements like the Kimberley Process. However, they are often smuggled and mixed with legitimate diamonds, making them difficult to trace.
Historically, they were associated with wars in Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1990s and early 2000s. Today, concerns focus on areas like the Central African Republic and parts of West Africa.
Buy from reputable jewellers who provide a Kimberley Process certificate guaranteeing the diamond's conflict-free origin. Alternatively, consider lab-grown diamonds or vintage/second-hand jewellery.
A diamond mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, invading army's war efforts, or a warlord's activity.
Conflict diamond is usually formal, journalistic, academic, political in register.
Conflict diamond: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.flɪkt ˌdaɪ.mənd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.flɪkt ˌdaɪ.mənd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A diamond with blood on it”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONFLICT (war) where the prize isn't land, but the DIAMONDS mined there. The conflict funds the conflict.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS BLOOD / A VALUABLE OBJECT IS A WEAPON
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme?