blood diamond

American  

[bluhd dahy-muhnd, dahy-uh-] / ˈblʌd ˌdaɪ mənd, ˌdaɪ ə- /

noun

1. a diamond that is sold, often on the black market, to finance armed conflict in the region of origin.

   Many buyers are now refusing to purchase blood diamonds for ethical reasons.

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Etymology

Origin of blood diamond

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

Dr Vines, who formerly worked as a blood diamond investigator for the UN, is concerned that gold has become Africa's new main conflict commodity.

From BBC

But how are they any different from blood diamonds and conflict minerals?

From Washington Post

But can the industry that props up her supermodel status turn a blind eye to the "blood diamond" allegation made at the former Liberian president's Hague trial?

From Seattle Times

Intervention by human rights groups and the UN led to the establishment of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in 2003, which did much to end the sale of so-called "blood diamonds" on the open market.

From BBC