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Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 16:53 GMT 16:53 UK

Diamond will be there forever whether they continue fueling fights amongst the some countries dealing in blood diamond or not as diamond is used for exchanging commodities in some quarters.

Tobias Chitatata kumwenda, Blantyre

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 16:43 GMT 16:43 UK

Some facts:

The vast majority of diamonds mined from Africa (or anywhere) come from a sophisticated and modern mining company (Debswana), owned by and accountable to a democratically elected government, rated by Transparency International as less corrupt than several EU states. Profits are used to fund health care and education, as well as to invest in new enterprises across the country.

Diamonds do in fact vary widely in quality and colour, with the best giving extraordinary visual beauty.

Robert, Warwick

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 16:33 GMT 16:33 UK

Diamonds are supposed to represent unconditional love and affection of the stongest kind, it is a physical symbol of the spirtual link between you and your love. The diamond ring represents the trinity you, your mate, and the spirit. It seems to me, although my view of the world is limited, that people do not value that connection. Marry and remarry, I am not judging against finding love, however, lets find a symbol that is not known for wealth or blood, lets give our love freely to all.

Megan, Valdosta

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 16:25 GMT 16:25 UK

The so called lucrative diamond industry has been so for the few companies involved in the whole industry. There is no single African country where the standard of living of the indigenous people has directly improved as a result of diamond mining. This just highlights the poor planning of the Governments that are just thinking now of alternative sources of income.

Jonathan, Kampala

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 15:49 GMT 15:49 UK

I have worked in the jewelry business for over 20 years, in South Africa and the USA. Just after Blood Diamond was released our sales took a different turn. People were more concious of asking where the origin of the diamonds was. De Beers printed leaflets giving information and explaining the roots of their diamonds. There was also a program set up to develop the world of the diamond miners. However, they were, as far as I could tell, only the people that worked for De Beers.

Annie, Denver, Colorado

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 15:28 GMT 15:28 UK

As a woman, I have never understood the value people put on diamonds as a symbol of love. Love, which is abstract and could only be felt, not touched, should remain that way for it to retain its true value. When you try to materialise it, it loses its value. As someone from the 3rd world, I know the violent colonial history of diamond mining, which is all the more reason for me to not want to give money to De Beers in the name of love! It's a shame we often cannot possess our own resources...

Hawwa, USA

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 15:26 GMT 15:26 UK

Foods forever, not diamonds.

A R Shams, Pakistan

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 15:07 GMT 15:07 UK

Baubles, are seriously overvalued, and of little importance in life.

Rick McDaniel, Lewisville, TX USA

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 14:45 GMT 14:45 UK

In case of Africa, Copper,dimond,gold oil...all have been rather a curse than a belessng. It is also interesting to know states who have these resources rely on them so much for revenue, other aspect of dev is totally ignored. Therefore the quest for control of these resources have become the source of major conflicts for domestic and International actors. Look at Japan Korea Taiwan and co.they have very little natural resources if any, but they have exceeded in human and economic devlopment.

Hirut, London

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 14:20 GMT 14:20 UK

' look at the diamond ring my boyfriend brought me isn't it lovely' and thats about as far as their tiny little minds stretch.

Quite sad really isn't it.

Sick of Cider, Bristol

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 14:19 GMT 14:19 UK

Diamond, like jewelries is a luxury to the majority of Africans and do not realy have a direct impact on the well been of the citizen. You only place value on what you can't do without; not Diamond that majority of Africans can't even identify even poeple from the producing countries.

Alola Alexander Kehinde, Lagos

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 14:18 GMT 14:18 UK

Like most mining in Africa, diamonds are (in more way than one) a dirty business full of greed & cruelty, lying & cheating, suffering & dying, especially in the Congo & Ivory Coast

Regina-Gabrielle Berry, Toronto, Canada

This translates to death and war in Africa while the (diamond) fat cats fatten their bank accounts in Europe And America.

It's not possible to wage and win war against diamond deaths in Africa when Western women hedge their love on diamonds. It's hypocricy

EE, Nigerian Voice

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 14:02 GMT 14:02 UK

Watch the film Blood Diamond....then decide.

Lord Rightwing, Don't mention BNP or you'll be rejected!

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 13:35 GMT 13:35 UK

They are often well fashioned. and outrageously pretty.
Personally I prefer to look at the colour of Saphires or Emeralds.
My georgeous mineralagist friend tells me that the price of diamonds is kept artificially high by DeBeers: they are a rip-off.
This confirms a lot of comments here. As for the corruption and slavery and cruelty involved, that's been known as a fact for decades. As a man the only Jewelery I wear are cufflinks and a plain watch. My mother said that diamonds are vulgar!

Blig Not, c

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 13:32 GMT 13:32 UK

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

It probably explains why girls don't like each other, and us too.

Muhammad Zaman