Diamonds from Sierra Leone have long been viewed negatively around the world. Why? Africans struggled for the control of mining rough diamonds and selling the gems during and after the civil war in that country from 1991 to 2002. Africans forced other Africans through violence and coercion to mine the gems, hence the terms “blood” or “conflict diamonds.” Moving forward into the twenty-first century, many jewelers around the world will only sell conflict-free diamonds. Do potential buyers know this? In response to this question, Dianne Glave, Emory University Hospital, will explore what jewelry—including diamonds—means in the African diaspora, and whether one should buy or not buy diamonds today.

Recorded Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at DePaul University.