Making A Difference
Despite their beauty, diamonds and their revenues play a key role in contributing to widespread poverty and injustice in Africa. The revenues generated are not increasing the overall standard of living in countries like Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where poverty affects the vast majority.

As consumers, we have the power to create change! Here are alternatives to make a difference:

Talk about blood diamonds
Social change begins with increased awareness. Talk to people you know about the issue of blood diamonds to help raise awareness and affect purchasing decisions. Encourage them to also spread the word.

Buy an ethical diamond from Canada
Diamonds mined in Canada have fair labor practices, high standards to protect the environment and indigenous communities, and much stricter certification by third party auditors to ensure the clean origin of your diamond. Some are inscribed with invisible-to-the-naked-eye maple leafs and polar bears to signify their Canadian origin. Ask your local jeweler for certified Canadian diamonds, or contact the following conflict free jewelers:

Canadian diamonds are currently the only diamonds that can be tracked from their point of origin. Other trackable diamonds that are ethically mined, cut and polished may soon become available. Fair trade diamonds from Western Africa are hopefully just a few years away - we wholeheartedly support these efforts!

Donate to raise awareness and help the communities
If as a consumer, you have either purchased another kind of diamond (which means that it has likely come from Africa), or feel that you must purchase such a diamond, we appeal to you to mitigate its effects by giving something back: donate to one of the on-the-ground organizations that Diamonds for Africa works with in Sierra Leone, Congo and Botswana. See www.diamondsforafricafund.org for details of projects and how to donate.

There are several organizations that are helping to improve the diamond industry. Organizations are both raising awareness and donating money to provide resources for the communities. Here are just a few organizations which you can donate to or read about.

• Amnesty International
• Diamonds for Africa Fund
• International Land Rights Fund
• Global Witness
• Partnership Africa Canada
• Survival International