In this two-part article, my aim is to take a look at diamonds and unravel some of the endemic confusion that exists around the politics of diamonds. I am always very aware that this is a deeply uncomfortable subject for most jewellers, who feel ill equipped to deal with the consumer questions around conflict diamonds.

Is Kimberley Dead? Watching the recent media scrum surrounding the Charles Taylor war crimes proceedings in The Hague has made me realise how fragile the public image of the jewellery industry is. Naomi Campbell, Mia Farrow, huge dirty-looking rocks, midnight visits to supermodels bedrooms, disgruntled ex agents, African dictators, civil wars, poverty and exploitation, made an

Naomi Campbell denied receiving Blood Diamonds from Charles Taylor the ex leader of Liberia who is now on trial for war crimes.