In only a few centuries, South Africa has become a near synonym for diamonds ever since the discovery of diamonds at the Kimberly Mine in 1871. The discovery would change the face of the nation forever. Diamond mines in South Africa have proven to be a continuing source of controversy, from the Second Boer War in 1899-1902 to the everyday conflict that exists till this very day. Today, diamonds are among South Africa's most exported materials, next to coal, minerals, gold and metals.

When diamonds were first discovered in 1867 and gold was discovered in 1884 South Africa began to grow economically and attract immigration. However, this also exacerbated the tension between European-South Africans and South African natives. The struggle for control over these resources played an important role in the war between the Boers and the British.

Global diamond giant De Beers was probably the greatest profiteer of the discovery of diamonds in South Africa. Formed by Cecil Rhodes in 1888, De Beers Consolidated Mines became the sole owner of all diamond mines in South Africa, and soon became an international monopoly. This monopoly was eventually broken diamond mines were discovered in Russia, Canada and Australia, as well as due to the cultural, social and financial changes of the 20th century.

In the 1990s, De Beers' policy was to make sure that the diamonds it bought weren't used to fund rebel groups. The Kimberley Process was established when Southern African countries decided to act against "conflict" diamonds in the markets, while protecting the legitimate diamond industry.

The Kimberley Process, which has been chaired by South Africa since 2000, includes over 50 governments has established a set of minimum acceptable international standards for national certification schemes relating to rough diamond trade. De Beers insisted that all of the diamonds it sells today are 100% conflict-free and that all De Beers diamonds are purchased are sold in accordance to national law, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and De Beers' own Diamond Best Practice Principles.

You can Subscribe to our blog via E-mail, or RSS, or join our social networks community on LinkedIn profile, LinkedIn group, Facebook profile,Facebook group and Twitter.